Avalanche danger will decrease overnight on Friday and during Saturday as snow and wind decrease and the snowpack at lower elevations drains and refreezes. Caution will still be required in the high alpine with wind slab avalanche danger on Friday.
New snow has fallen on Thursday night and Friday down to 1800m and has been redistributed by strong to severe gale winds from the northwest. Wind slab danger exists in the high alpine. It is likely to be isolated to ridge crests and upper start zones.
Loose wet avalanche danger will decrease overnight on Friday as rain intensity decreases, the snowpack in the mid-alpine drains and the freezing level drops. Loose wet avalanche danger is likely to be low by late morning on Saturday. Snow cover is intermittent below 1800m
No observations have been possible during this storm. Please provide any snowpack or avalanche observations using the link below.
Snow cover is intermittent after heavy rain below 1800, particularly on north and west-facing aspects. Cover above 1800m is consistent, particularly on south and east aspects. Rain has saturated the snowpack at all elevations on Wednesday and up to 1900m on Thursday and Friday. Snow will have been falling during Thursday evening and Friday in the high alpine, accompanied by gale-force northwest winds. This will ease during Friday night. A lowering freezing level and a decrease in rain will see the snowpack drain and increase in strength during Friday night.
Rain will decrease overnight on Friday night. A total of 40mm+ of rain has fallen below 1800m. Saturday will be partly cloudy with the odd shower later. Moderate westerlies will become strong later. The freezing level will lower from 1700m to 1400m.
An ice axe and crampons need to be carried for mountain travel as the snow refreezes.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
