The new snow from the past week has now settled well.
Loose wet avalanche activity is expected to increase as temperatures rise on Tuesday, with warming conditions likely to weaken the surface snowpack.
Loose wet avalanche danger is expected to increase as the freezing level rises to approximately 2300 m on Tuesday.
Avoid steep sun-exposed slopes during the warmest part of the day, when increased solar radiation and rising temperatures may weaken the surface snowpack and trigger wet loose avalanches.
Small wind slabs may still exist in isolated steep terrain on east to south aspects above 1800 m.
These slabs have continued to stabilise, with decreasing reactivity observed in recent assessments, and are considered unlikely to be triggered by the weight of a single person.
26 July - Several size 1 wind slabs were observed or triggered by ohau ski patrol team below ridge crest on E to SE aspects.
Approximately 15–20 cm of new snow fell between 23–24 July, accompanied by strong northwesterly winds that later shifted southwest. Since the storm, consecutive cold, clear nights have promoted near-surface faceting, preserving dry, and low-density snow.
Strong northwesterly and southwesterly winds formed wind slabs on East to South aspects during the storm cycle. These slabs have continued to stabilise and have shown little to no reactivity in recent stability assessments.
Fine with morning frosts, possibly severe.
wind at top
Westerly 20 km/h.
freezing level
Rising to 2300 metres evening.
Firm snow conditions are present on west-facing slopes near ridgelines and at lower elevations where a rain crust exists. These hard surfaces may present a sliding hazard, particularly on steep terrain and may be cunningly hidden under new snow.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
