About 15 - 20cm of new snow at high elevations and rain at mid elevations in the last 24hours. Loose wet and wet slab avalanche activity, along with wind slab on higher slopes are all possible.
Take a conservative approach to any backcountry travel, taking note of changes in conditions as you move between aspects and elevations. Adjust your plans to suit.
The freezing level remains at 1800m today, and the sun may come out. Look out for loose wet and possibly wet slab activity. A series of loose wet activity out of steep terrain is especially likely if the sun comes out. Be aware of what is happening above you.
New reactive wind slab may exist after new snow and wind from the North. This is most likely on the steep ground near the ridgetops or on steep mid-slope rolls.
Tuesday 12 Aug - Loose wet activity observed on all sunny aspects throughout the Darran Mountains
Sun 9th Aug- Some wet loose activity reported during rain in the Gertrude Valley area.
Thur 13th August - About 15-20cm above 1800 - 1900m and rain below (30mm). The freezing level has been around 1800 -2000m for the last 48 hours.
Fri 7th to Sun 9th. Up to 25cm fell in above about 1700m in northern Fiordland. Expect some slab development in the steep ground near ridgetops. Below about 1700m expect a lattice of rain crusts or even rain-soaked snow at the very low elevations.
Above 1800 this snow overlies a snowpack that is thought to be stable. It is expected to have layers but has been tested by strong wind loading and wind stripping from both the west and the SE in early August.Below 1800 new snow overlies a thin snowpack has had rain on it at the beginning of pretty much all the winter storms, and is thought to be well stable.
Showers, becoming few and far between this morning.
Wind at 1000 metres - Northwesterly 35 km/h.
Wind at 2000 metres - Northwesterly 35 km/h.
Freezing level - 1800 metres.
Surface conditions are variable, with wind scouring on windward slopes. Take an axe and crampons if you're exploring.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
