A change is in the cards. New snow up high inbound, more rain at lower elevations.
Any new snow will be landing on a very firm surface, so we will need to treat the new/old bond with caution and plan our route accordingly.
Wind slab danger exists on east to south aspects above 1400 m.
New snow will be on top of a potentially very firm surface. This bond will need to be investigated. This concern is likely to be more ponounced at higher elevations in the west and north of the forecast area.
Avoidance of wind loaded (South east to eastern) slopes is the first management tool.
With a new storm inbound, we can expect to see small Loose Dry "sluffs" out of steep terrain on all aspects above 1600m.
Nothing reported since the middle of the month.
Please use the Public Observations link if you see anything interesting.
Approximately 15–20 cm of new snow fell above 1850 m between 13–14 July, accompanied by severe NW winds that later shifted to the SW. In exposed terrain, the strong winds stripped the new snow back to the ground or to slick rain crusts.
Wind loading created pockets of dense wind slab on east through south aspects in isolated pockets, but can be 30-40cm thick. They so far haven't been reactive to tests.
Below 1850 m, precipitation fell as rain, forming a widespread rain crust on all aspects.
Expect 10-15cm new snow on top of this firm layer on Thursday, mostly above 1800m and 5-10cm on Friday to around 1200m.
Scattered showers with snow possible to 1000 metres.
Strong to Gale north west winds, easing to moderate and a freezing level lowering from 1200m to about 700m.
Firm snow conditions are present on west-facing slopes near ridgelines and at lower elevations where a rain crust exists. These hard surfaces may present a sliding hazard, particularly on steep terrain.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
