With limited snow forecast overnight and into tomorrow, expect little change in conditions. If more than 10 cm arrives, expect avalanche conditions to be more elevated.
With new snow overnight, when it clears, expect the new snow to soften, but with less than 5cm forecast, the hazard will not increase. If more than 5cm arrives, expect larger loose wet avalanches and adjust your route for the elevated hazard.
After days of settlement, the wind slab hazard is lowering. Isolated pockets still exist at higher elevations. Caution on steep, unsupported areas.
Nothing reported in the last few days. If you see anything, please report it in the public observations section of the NZAA website.
Further south, a loose wet cycle has occurred in the Arrowsmiths region.
The snowpack is slowly settling with time and fine weather. 125mm of rain has fallen this week, with snow above 2100m and gale NW winds. Below 2000m, there was limited new snow as the freezing level fluctuated during the last storm. Above 2000m, limited snow existed before 80cm of snow fell last week, which had a few days to settle and provide a good early-season base. Limited layers of concern exist within the old snow.
Mostly cloudy. A few showers, mainly in the morning.Winds Westerly 60 km/h, dying out in the afternoon. Freezing level 1700 metres lowering to 1300 metres at night.
Expect firm areas from strong winds, mostly on ridge lines and high points. Crampons and an ice axe are a good idea.
Low
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
