Saturday morning is stormy; however, an afternoon clearance is likely at some point. Great weather Sunday!
Wind Slabs will be possible to trigger throughout the weekend. The new snow will be wind-affected and is likely to accumulate into 20-30 cm-deep drifts across the E 1/2. Avoid obviously wind-loaded entries where possible and look for sheltered slopes at lower elevations for quality skiing.
There has been no avalanche activity reported in the past 48 hours.
Recent Westerly 1/4 snowfall has left up to 10-15cm of dense, wind-blown snow across most sheltered terrain on Easterly aspects. Our problematic rain crust remains exposed in windward terrain and anywhere exposed above 1800m. Underneath this, there is no significant layering of note with the only storm of this season snow well consolidated through to ground.
Saturday: 10cm of snow forecast throughout the morning, followed by an afternoon clearance. Strong Westerly 1/4 winds persist, dropping to moderate by the afternoon. FAFL 600m.
Sunday: Fine, light Westerly's. FAFL 1200m.
With forecast weather, any sliding hazard will become aspect-dependent. Windward aspects may still have the exposed rain crust. Assess the surface before ending up on slope, a set of crampons and an axe may come in handy.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
