Avalanche forecast

Ohau

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 1,800 m
1 · Low
Alpine · 1,200 m–1,800 m
1 · Low
Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
1 · Low
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Highlights

There still could be reactivity in the snowpack. With recent new snow over very firm crusts and continued wind transport.

Watch for heat of the day "sluffing" as well as new slabs from re-distributed snow. The trend is however, good.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    With 10cm of new snow sitting on a slick crust, small loose wet avalanches are still possible. Rising temperatures play a part as well.These avalanches will be small, but be wary of terrrain traps like cliffs, gullies, exposed rocks or other hazards where a small slide can have big consequences.

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    With south westerly winds and some easterly, re-distributing the light recent snow towards the eastern slopes, isolated wind slab pockets could be forming. Most likely in the far North an west (ie near the Divide, up high) of the forecast area.These will be laying over very firm either melt freeze or rain crusts so take your time to investigate tempting fat pockets.

Recent Avalanche Activity

Several small loose avalanches were observed on th 17th in The Barrier range. Mostly on eastern and northern aspects. Probably run at the tail end of the storm on the 16th.

Current Snowpack Conditions

Around 10cm of new snow fell across the forecast area on Saturday night with light to moderate southeasterly winds. This new snow is sitting on a stout melt freeze crust at all elevations on sunny slopes and below around 2000m on shady slopes. Shady slopes above 2000m were holding windpressed powder in places, but any old wind slab on these slopes should be settled by now.

The lower pack will be well locked up below around 1700m. Above this there's a mix of buried melt freeze crusts on sunny slopes, windscoured crusts in exposed areas, and drifts of firm, wind-pressed snow. This has all been moistened with the warm temperatures earlier in the week and now that it's had a good freeze should be well settled.

The faceting seen earlier in the season near ground are now appearing moist (a healing trend for facets).

Mountain Weather

Partly cloudy with morning frosts, clearing to fine in the afternoon. Frosts returning at night.

Light to moderate southerly winds and a freezing level rising to 2400m.

Sliding Danger

Beware of sliding falls! There will be slick surfaces just under the new snow. Take an ice axe and crampons for any travel above the snow line.

Forecast Confidence

High

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered