A burst of rain on 15/07 will now be a very hard, frozen surface. Sunny aspects will soften in the middle of the day on Saturday but cooling again on Sunday.
Crampons will be mandatory if you want to go for a walk.
Above 1900m Wind slabs mat still linger lee to the West, Northwest winds. Isolated steep terrain may still produce winter like Wind Slabs. Watch for hollow sounding snow when venturing out above 1900m/2000m.
An increase in temperatures means Loose Wet slides may occur in isolated, steep solar slopes at mid to lower elevations where enough snow exists, especially in the heat of the day. Low does not mean 'No'.
Saturday: Showers developing in the morning about the Divide, otherwise fine with morning frosts and high cloud. Westerly wind rising to gale in the morning. Freezing level 2200m lowering to 1800m at night.
Sunday: Isolated showers, with increasing cloudy periods. Strong westerly winds easing during the day. Freezing level 1800m lowering to 1500m in the evening.
Ice axe and Crampons will be mandatory if venturing out.
High
Around 75-90cm at the South of the range tapering to about 40-50cm to the North. Coverage is patchy with significant pockets of wind deposited snow with very thin patches where the early wind had stripped things back to ground. Around 25mm of rain fell on the range overnight on the 15/07. Expect a very frozen surface after overnight frosts.
Small Wind Slab reported 16/07 at Craigieburn Valley, 1600m Southeast Aspect..
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
