Avalanche hazard is currently low, but wind slab avalanches could still happen on steep, unsupported slopes. The mix of wind scoured and wind loaded slopes could entice you into more consequential terrain in search of good snow. A small avalanche or sliding fall may have an unsatisfactory outcome.
Avalanche hazard may start to rise late on Tuesday with the onset of forecast snowfall and gale westerly winds.
Most of the wind slabs from recent gale winds will have settled by now, but isolated pockets could still slide in steep, unsupported terrain.
Take care around steep entries, convex rolls, or slopes above cliffs on N, E and S facing slopes near ridgeline above 1800m.
A number of small loose wet avalanches ran on sunny slopes on the 17th.
Prior to this, there was an avalanche cycle during the storm on the 13th, 14th and 15th, with wind slab and storm slab avalanches on south and east aspects up to size 3 and loose wet avalanches on all aspects below around 1800m.
Late last week about 10cm of new snow fell above 2000m on the Divide. This covers snowfall from earlier in the week that was extensively distributed by gale NW and SW winds, leaving firm windpressed drifts in sheltered areas and slick crusts in more exposed areas. Below around 1800m the snowpack is capped with a hard rain crust. Sunny aspects will have a melt-freeze crust in the morning which will soften through the day. The lower snowpack appears to be well bonded, but we are continuing to monitor crust facet laminates in the lower pack in the eastern part of the forecast area.
Forecast
Cloud increasing, with rain developing in the afternoon.
Wind at 1000 metres
Light, northwesterly 35 km/h developing at night.
Wind at 2000 metres
Westerly 40 km/h, rising to northwesterly 60 km/h in the afternoon.
Wind at 3000 metres
Southwesterly 40 km/h, rising to westerly gale 85 km/h in the afternoon.
Freezing level
1800 metres.
Exposed areas have been stripped back to a slick crust by strong NW and SW winds. Below 1800m there are icy rain crusts. Take an ice axe and crampons( and the knowledge to use them) for any travel above the snowline.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
