Avalanche forecast

Ohau

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 1,800 m
2 · Moderate
Alpine · 1,200 m–1,800 m
2 · Moderate
Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
1 · Low
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Highlights

New snow over firm previous surface. The wind is also swinging around a lot and varying where the snow deposits.

Time to pick your lines carefully and look to see how that new to old interface is. If unsure, stick to lower angles and non loaded slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    With recent new snow over a previous firm layer. Expect multiple small Loose Wet releases out of steeper terrain on solar affected slopes.

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    Storm slab is likely to have developed, particularly on north eastern through to western slopes above 1300m. Although with an easterly component, all aspects may have loading. Potentially more of a consideration in the north and west of the forecast area.

Recent Avalanche Activity

Several loose wet/dry avalanches were observed at Ohau snow area on late 8th/early 9th Aug. Nothing else reported.

Your observations from the back country are always appreciated via our Public Obs link

Current Snowpack Conditions

20 cm of new snow fell on the 23rd-24th, accompanied by severe NW gale-force winds. The strong winds stripped snow from west-facing slopes and exposed ridge crests. Then a clear, but sometimes windy period and 15-20cm overnight 26th into the 27th morning. Much of this blown away or relocated mid slope to West to northern slopes.

There are still some near to ground facets being observed, otherwise the previous to this storm snow pack appeared to have settled well. There was anywhere between 150cm and 50cm out there over the ground on Monday, less now with the previous winds.

With a very shallow snowpack and observed near-to-ground faceting, expect more to develop. Not currently enough loading to be a concern, but something to watch. There has also been a melt-freeze cycle occur just prior to this latest storm, which brought 15cm new snow. Lots of wet grains also observed in the mid level snow pack.

Mountain Weather

Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers. A few late morning and afternoon fine spells before low cloud and drizzle spreads in from the east in the evening.

Light south westerlies swinging to the east and a freezing level rising from 1300m to 1800m.

Sliding Danger

Very firm snow conditions are present on west-facing slopes near ridgelines where it has been wind blasted. These hard surfaces may present a sliding hazard, particularly on steep terrain and may be cunningly hidden under new snow.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • The snowpack structure is well understood.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered