There has been a significant change in conditions across the Hutt range since this storm cycle began. Conservative decision making and thorough investigation prior to entering avalanche terrain is recommended.
Note: Backcountry access will be restricted if Mt Hutt Ski Area opens on Wednesday the 8th due to further avalanche mitigation work and deicing of chairlifts.
Storm Slab avalanches will be likely above 1600m as new snow begins falling on Wednesday afternoon. This will likely be of greater concern on Thursday as totals reach 20-25cm. Look for an instability at this depth when investigating. Cracking, whumphing or recent avalanche activity within this new snow is an obvious sign of increased hazard.
Loose Dry avalanches will be possible as further new snow falls into Wednesday night. Hazard will peak during periods of intense precipitation. This avalanche problem will be isolated to steep terrain, 40deg+ only.
Loose Wet avalanches will be possible across 40deg+ terrain at lower elevation bands. This will only be a problem below 1600m where rainfall and warm temperatures have impacted the snowpack. As the FAFL drops, especially on Thursday, this problem will cease to exist.
Natural and explosive triggered Storm Slab & Loose Dry avalanches have been reported by Mt Hutt Patrol. These were all Size 1, above 1600m & included SW, S, SE & E aspects.
Roughly 65cm of storm snow fell across Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. This has been redistributed across all terrain lee to the Southerly 1/2 with multiple changes in layering having been observed throughout the storm. There are isolated deposits of wind blown snow up to 1.5m deep in places near ridgetop. The snowpack below 1800m, on all aspects, has seen some warming and light rainfall on Tuesday afternoon and is now moist at the surface. Overall, a complex winter snowpack has developed in a matter of days!
Wednesday: Snowfall increasing into the afternoon with 5-10cm forecast by days end. Moderate Southerly winds persist. FAFL 1400m lowering to 1000m
Thursday: A further 15cm is forecast overnight into Thursday. Again, moderate Southerly winds continue. FAFL down to 700m.
There is no sliding danger right now.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
