Plenty of snow movement at upper elevations today. Newly formed wind-slab may become reactive. Change your plans to suit the changing conditions.
Wind-slab will be building today with a strengthening southerly. Be careful in and around entry points from the ridge-line. If in doubt, choose to be conservative. The base layer is slick. Any event could run a considerable distance.
No recent activity across our region. Snow pit tests in several areas have identified some propagation results. Some moderate transport of loose snow at upper elevations late yesterday.
Variable snowpack is the word of the day. Moist snow has refrozen resulting in benign conditions. Typically, 5 to 10 cms of light snow over a firm base. However, you may be skiing (riding) in one bowl and around the corner is nothing but breakable crust. The result of strong S to SW winds which have (in some areas) completely stripped the snow back to a crusty (unsupportive) base. Gale strength winds will try and spoil the party today. Expect plenty of snow transport at ridge crest. Just a footnote about coverage team. Below 1200 m in some areas has great coverage, other areas you may be lucky to find any snow, such is our El Niño winter. You may be skiing, riding to low elevations, or you may be walking....just saying !
A fine start will begin to cloud over through the afternoon. Gale S winds blasting for much of the day. The freezing level around 1400 m.
The base of the snowpack is certainly slick. Be mindful of steep terrain, especially where the base has been exposed. If you have ski crampons, add them to your kit. Be prepared for anything you may encounter.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
