The snowpack in the Two Thumb Range is mostly stable.
Some isolated pockets of reactive windslab could still be lurking at higher elevation
It's a good day to get out in the hills and enjoy the short lull in the recent relentless wind.
Previous windslabs are bonding and gaining strength. Isolated slopes may be able to be trigged by a single person's weight. Even a small avalanche may be consequential with rocks or cliffs in the runout.
A solid freeze is expected overnight. Combined with a dry W wind, this should keep the loose wet danger away.
However, a warm day is forecast, and it's possible that enough heat will get through to cause a problem.
Take care to observe the state of the snow and be prepared to avoid steep slopes and runouts if the snowpack loses strength.
The wind has stripped the soft snow back to exposed crusts.
Below 2000m, the snowpack has gone through melt freeze cycles, so any overnight freeze will form a slick crust.
Expect high sliding danger with lots of rocks in the runouts.
Iceaxe and crampons are recommended.
Moderate
Morning frosts. High cloud increasing throughout the day.
Wind at 1000 metres
Westerly 40 km/h, rising to westerly gale 70 km/h in the evening.
Wind at 2000 metres
Southwesterly 40 km/h, rising to westerly gale 70 km/h in the afternoon.
Freezing level
1900 metres.
No recent avalanches have been reported.
If you see any activity on the Two Thumb Range, please make a public observation. It really helps us to produce accurate forecasts.
Previous gale force wind from the northwest and southwest has left old crusts and rock exposed on ridges and upper elevations.
Deeper snow and good "spring" skiing has been reported at mid and lower elevations on northern slopes.
Snow depths in the south are about 70cm, tapering to about about 50cm mid range and 40cm in the north.
The snowpack north of Stag Saddle is not well understood, with no direct observations.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
