New snow and strong winds from the SE in the past 48 hours. Areas with wind slab are likely to be found, especially around terrain features at higher elevations.
There is very little information available at this early stage of the winter. If you are heading into avalanche terrain, take the time to check out conditions, and please submit some observations.
Wind slab is likely to continue to form, in the next 24 hours as the strong SE winds continues to move the new snow around. They may release with the weight of a person and runouts could be rocky, icy and bare.
No recent activity observed
Est. 60-100cm of snow above 1800m from 3-5th July storm, with less at lower levels, to about 15cm at 1100m. The first snow fall of the winter was on 24/25th June, with about 10cm at 800m in the South of the forecasting area. There was less snow in the North, estimating about 10-20 cm above 1600m, on tussock, rock and slabs.
Fine but some cloud in the east.
Wind at 1000 metres - Southeasterly 60 km/h, easing to easterly 35 km/h in the morning.
Wind at 2000 metres - Easterlies 40 km/h, dying out in the morning.
Freezing level - 2300 metres, but 900 metres in the east.
Icy conditions are to be expected, on slabs and at higher elevations, which have been stripped back by S/SE winds. Take ice axe and crampons.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
