Heavy snow on Friday turning to rain-on-snow later in the day will significantly increase the avalanche risk.
Consider if mountain travel on Friday is really necessary and, if so, stick to ridge lines and low angle terrain.
Trampers and other low elevation park users beware crossing gullies exposed from above. Safe travel is one at a time.
Strong winds from the N through NW during Friday will transport significant snow ( possibly 60cm+) creating windslab on lee aspects.
Transported snow may be blown lower than you expect, so beware snow density changes (stiffer, firmer snow) in unexpected places at mid elevations.
Afternoon/evening rain below 1800m will add considerable weight to the snowpack and raise the hazard of loose wet avalanches on all aspects.
No avalanche activity reported.
If you see anything, please report it in the public observations section of the NZAA website.
The upper snow pack has been settling out but field reports indicate possible weaknesses that the incoming storm may overload to trigger avalanches. There are wind stripped surfaces at higher elevations on NW through S aspects. Below this settling upper snow pack is a formerly wind pressed snowpack from earlier in the season with no significant layers of concern. There are limited observations of the new snow line around the forecast area, but threshold for avalanches is estimated at around 1500m in the west, tapering east. At lower elevations (below 2000m) ice crusts exist but bonding to the ice layers has been good.
Forecast for Friday 7th August
Cloud increasing in the morning with periods of rain, possibly heavy from afternoon, with snow to 1300 metres until evening.
Wind at 1000 metres
Northerly 40 km/h developing in the morning.
Wind at 2000 metres
Northwesterly 40 km/h, rising to gale 65 km/h for a time in the afternoon and evening.
Freezing level
1200 metres, lifting to 1800 metres in the evening.
Expect areas to be stripped back to hard surfaces from the gale winds at higher elevations. Crampons and an ice axe are a good idea, as many firmer areas now exist.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
