Loaded areas in the High Alpine do exist. An avalanche in the current conditions will be nasty with rocky runouts.
Watch for rollerballing/loose wet conditions this afternoon on sunny slopes.
Small pockets of wind slab exist around terrain features that have seen loading.
They are becoming harder to trigger but should still be avoided. Any avalanche will be consequential with the thin snow cover.
Small loose wet avalanches may become a concern this afternoon.
Steep and sunny slopes that have enough snow will see surface softening with the current forecast.
Avoid travelling in these areas if wet snow and rollerballing is present.
Small pockets of windslab lloaded from SE winds were reactive to a single skiers weight during the morning on Thursday.
The recent snowfall has begun to form a base. Some lee areas in the High Alpine now have enough snow to cover the terrain. Loaded areas have up to 100cm of snow.
In general the snowpack is still very thin with rocky conditions dominating.
The cold and clear weather is driving a faceting/weakening process and will need to be monitored ahead of any new snow.
Crisp and clear. Light winds with a 1900m FAFL.
N/A
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
