Aspiring

Heavy snow has fallen along with gale force winds from the NW yesterday which have turned SW overnight. The avalanche hazard has increased significantly with widespread reactive wind slab potentially producing large avalanches. Rain at lower elevations may have created a wet snow hazard.

Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Though there have been no reports of fresh avalanche activity in the region we would expect that the current storm cycle would have produced natural wind slab and wet snow avalanches. A cycle of small wet loose and wet slab avalanches had been observed on solar aspects during the last fine spell. Glide cracks have been reported as developing on steep north facing terrain at lower elevations.

If you see any recent avalanche occurrences or have any relevant snowpack information or photos, you can share them via the Public Observations link on the NZAA home page.

Fresh snow fall of up to 50cm has fallen in the region down to about 1500m. Below this elevation this snow fell as rain.

Previously above 1900m: A mix of facetted surface snow and wind pressed snow existed on south aspects. This snow has largely bonded well to the old snow surface and the upper and mid pack are generally showing settled characteristics as total snow depths have increased. With continued cold temperatures some near surface faceting had been observed. With the very strong winds experienced throughout the winter there is a high degree of spatial variability in the distribution of snow and there are still areas of unusually shallow snowpack at all elevations. The lower part of the snowpack appears consolidated and unreactive. Large cornices have also formed above 1800m.

Below 1900m rain last week had saturated the snow pack creating a very stout supportive rain crust. With cold morning temperatures there was a very slick snow surface. With continued cold temperatures and a shallow snow pack some facet development has been observed.

Showers, some heavy with squally thunderstorms and hail, easing in the evening. Snow lowering to 500 metres in the morning.

Wind at 1000 metres: Westerly severe gale 100 km/h, easing to gale 80 km/h in the afternoon.

Wind at 2000 metres: Westerly severe gale 120 km/h, easing to severe gale 90 km/h in the afternoon.

Wind at 3000 metres: Westerly severe gale 140 km/h, easing to southwesterly severe gale 100 km/h in the afternoon.

Freezing level: 1800 metres, lowering to 900 metres in the morning, then lifting to 1200 metres in the evening.

Last week rain fell to 1900m creating a very slick frozen snow surface which with cold temperatures will present a sliding hazard. Take care. An ice axe and crampons could be necessary.

Moderate

• The snowpack structure is well understood.
• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.
• We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.