Goes without saying this is a complex storm with rapid changes in both temperatures and wind speeds/directions forecasted over the next few days. Not a great time to be out in avalanche terrain!
Storm Slab avalanches are very likely at upper elevation bands. With heavy snowfall overnight into Thursday expect to see natural activity on most aspects. Although the new/old bond is suspected to be good, instabilities within the new snow are whats worth paying attention to.
Loose Wet avalanches will be likely on all aspects at elevations below 1800m. Look for roller balling or recent avalanche activity as a key sign of instability, and avoid avalanche terrain as temperatures rise.
None have been observed in the past 48 hours.
25mm of rain fell to ridge top before 5cm of snow to around 1600m by 6pm Wednesday. A relatively saturated and unconsolidated upper snowpack existed prior to snowfall beginning. Any evidence of previous rain crusts was hard to find as they had broken down at most elevation bands and on most aspects. The exception to this was high on the S 1/4 where some evidence of them being intact was found. Lower in the pack was very well consolidated.
Heavy snowfall overnight Wednesday into Thursday with accumulations of up to 40cm forecast. SE winds swing to the NW sometime around midday. This change also brings an in increase in FAFL with a forecasted 3100m by Thursday evening.
No sliding hazard currently exists in the Hutt Range.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
