Heavy snow has fallen initially with gale force winds from the NW followed by further gales from the south. The avalanche hazard has increased significantly with widespread reactive wind slab potentially producing large avalanches. Rain at lower elevations may have created a wet snow hazard. Warming temperatures may also see a wet snow hazard develop on solar aspects.
If you're planning to head into the back country take a conservative approach, avoiding steeper terrain and potential avalanche run outs.
Up to 50cm of snow has fallen at higher elevation. Winds up to gale force have been observed from the north west through to the south. Expect reactive wind slabs at mid to high elevations.
Significant rain has fallen up to 1500m creating a potential loose wet snow hazard at lower elevations. With warmer temperatures forecast this afternoon loose wet avalanches could also be possible on solar aspects at mid elevations.
Rain has fallen to 1700m creating a very slick frozen snow surface which with cold temperatures will present a sliding hazard. Take care. An ice axe and crampons could be necessary.
Moderate
Though there have been no reports of fresh avalanche activity in the region we would expect that the current storm cycle would have produced natural wind slab and wet snow avalanches. A cycle of small wet loose and wet slab avalanches had been observed on solar aspects during the last fine spell. Glide cracks have been reported as developing on steep north facing terrain at lower elevations.
If you see any recent avalanche occurrences or have any relevant snowpack information or photos, you can share them via the Public Observations link on the NZAA home page.
Fresh snow fall of up to 50cm has fallen in the region down to about 1500m. Below this elevation this snow fell as rain.
Previously above 1900m: A mix of facetted surface snow and wind pressed snow existed on south aspects. This snow has largely bonded well to the old snow surface and the upper and mid pack are generally showing settled characteristics as total snow depths have increased. With continued cold temperatures some near surface faceting had been observed. With the very strong winds experienced throughout the winter there is a high degree of spatial variability in the distribution of snow and there are still areas of unusually shallow snowpack at all elevations. The lower part of the snowpack appears consolidated and unreactive. Large cornices have also formed above 1800m.
Below 1900m rain last week had saturated the snow pack creating a very stout supportive rain crust. With cold morning temperatures there was a very slick snow surface. With continued cold temperatures and a shallow snow pack some facet development has been observed.
Showers, with snow to 1000 metres in the morning, turning to rain in the evening.
Wind at 1000 metres: Westerly gale 65 km/h.
Wind at 2000 metres: Westerly severe gale 90 km/h.
Wind at 3000 metres: Westerly severe gale 100 km/h.
Freezing level: 1200 metres, lifting to 1600 metres in the morning and to 1900 metres in the evening.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
