The sun will be busting through this afternoon. This will increase the wet avalanche danger. Most aspects will see problems, Northern aspects is where we expect to see a lot of activity. Be aware of your surroundings and possible slide paths after lunch.
Nth facing aspects will be particularly active this afternoon. The steeper the terrain the more likely a loose wet avalanche will be initiated. Try and find a balance where you get softened snow without being pushed over a nasty drop. Things to look for will be rafting, roller balling and sizeable pinwheels.
At present, the slab is unreactive to ski cutting (this may change in the coming days). Be careful in and around complex terrain. Polar (shady) aspects above 2000 m is where you will need extra care.
Rapid warming and green housing occurred at 1130 yesterday. Reactive loose wet avalanches (size 1 to 2) on all aspects below 2000m.
Yesterday's early snow was turned into a porridge like substance by afternoon. All aspects below 2000 m affected to some degree. Pockets of wind-slab may have survived on polar aspects above this elevation. A minimal reset overnight, expect a breakable crust in places. With moist conditions and a sunny afternoon we can expect more wet slide activity today. Wet slides are powerful events and can entrench vast quantities of heavy snow. Pay particular attention to terrain traps today. Elevation will be your friend.
A cloudy morning with a few spots of rain, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Winds a light. The freezing level at 1600 m.
When frosts return so will our concerns about a sliding danger. Till then, we have no sliding danger worries.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
