Fiordland

There is enough new snow from Sunday to be moved around be the increasing wind on Tuesday. Expect some slab development near the ridges at the high elevation band.

The freezing level is rising to 1800m. Watch out for wet loose avalanches in the steep north facing areas when the sun comes out.

Continue to use some caution if you are near ridgetops on the steep ground.

Please submit any observations you make. They are most appreciated.

Sun 9th Aug- Some wet loose activity reported during rain in the Gertrude Valley area.

Fri 7th to Sun 9th. Up to 25cm fell in above about 1700m in northern Fiordland. Expect some slab development in the steep ground near ridgetops. Below about 1700m expect a lattice of rain crusts or even rain-soaked snow at the very low elevations.

Above 1800 this snow overlies a snowpack that is thought to be stable, which is expected to have layers, but has been tested by strong wind loading and wind stripping from both the west and the SE in early August.Below 1800 new snow overlies a thin snowpack has had rain on it at the beginning of pretty much all the winter storms, and is thought to be well stable.

Cloud on the terrain about the fiords, and morning low cloud about the lakes.

Wind at 1000 metres - Northerly 45 km/h, rising to gale 65 km/h about the fiords in the morning, then to gale 65 km/h but severe gale 95 km/h about the fiords in the evening.

Wind at 2000 metres - -Northerly 45 km/h, rising to gale 65 km/h in the afternoon, and to severe gale 90 km/h at night.

Freezing level - 1800 metres.

Surface conditions are variable, with wind scouring on windward slopes. Take an axe and crampons if you're exploring.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
• We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.