The mountains look great however with just one snowfall so far, things are still thin.
Careful assessment required if entering steep loaded slopes.
With such strong South to Southeast winds, expect Wind Slabs to form in steep, sheltered Northern aspects. These Wind Slabs will be mostly found above 1800m. Even a small slide could get rough in the wrong place.
An increase in temperatures, or very sunny slopes will mean Loose Wet slides may occur on steep slopes at lower elevations where enough snow exists.
Small Wind Slabs from explosives at Mt Hutt and Porters previous 48hrs.
It is looking like around 75-90cm at the South of the range tapering to about 40-50cm to the North. Initially the most of the snow came with strong Southeast winds which dropped during the storm. Temperatures rose before things cooled again 08/07. Coverage is patchy with significant pockets of wind deposited snow to very thin patches where the early wind had stripped things back to ground.
Sunday: Fine, apart from areas of low cloud and valley fog. Severe morning frosts. Westerly winds developing in the morning, turning Northwest and increasing in the afternoon. Freezing level around 1400m.
Monday: A few showers. Northwest gale increasing in the afternoon. Freezing level around 2000m.
Wind polished surfaces and icy areas will be very slippery. consider Ice axe and Crampons if venturing out.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
