The mountains look great however with just one snowfall so far, things are still thin. Wind increasing tomorrow.
Careful assessment required if entering steep loaded slopes.
With strong South to Southeast winds previously and now the forecast is for Northwest winds. This will mean extra care is required if venturing into steep slopes where there in enough snow to ride. These Wind Slabs will be mostly found above 1800m. Even a small slide could get rough in the wrong place.
An increase in temperatures, or very sunny slopes will mean Loose Wet slides may occur on steep slopes at lower elevations where enough snow exists.
Nil reported in the last 24hrs..
It is looking like around 75-90cm at the South of the range tapering to about 40-50cm to the North. Initially the most of the snow came with strong Southeast winds which dropped during the storm. Temperatures rose before things cooled again 08/07. Coverage is patchy with significant pockets of wind deposited snow to very thin patches where the early wind had stripped things back to ground.
Monday: Clear skies with frosts at first, some severe. Cloud developing in the morning, with scattered rain from afternoon, possibly heavy about the Main Divide with snow to 1700m. Westerly winds turning Northwest rising to gale in the morning. Freezing level 1700m.
Tuesday: Isolated showers, becoming widespread and heavier about the divide in the afternoon and evening. Gale Northwest winds increasing in the afternoon. Freezing level around 2500m.
Wind polished surfaces and icy areas will be very slippery especially at lower elevations. Consider Ice axe and Crampons if venturing out.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
