New snow on the range which has made for amazing skiing and riding
Wind Slab is still the hazard to watch.
Expect Wind Slabs to have formed on steep Northern 1/2 aspects. Watch for dense pockets of wind blown snow if in terrain above 30degrees. Mt Hutt found a weaker layer within the latest storm snow. Be aware of your runout just in case.
Steep sunny aspects at mid elevation could soften enough during the day to produce small Loose Wet avalanches. If the forecast high cloud appears tomorrow, then this will add heat to the snow surface causing loss of cohesion to occur much quicker.
Cold temperatures are forecast for the next few days. Expect any new snow accumulated in steep sheltered terrain and could produce small Loose Dry avalanches, especially above 1800m. Although these are generally small, with current conditions, they have potential to run far and fast.
Loose Dry/Wet reported 24/07 Southwest aspect 1850m, South end of the range.
Multiple small Wind Slabs triggered with explosives control across the range, 25 and 26/07.
Coverage is patchy with significant pockets of wind deposited snow all the way through to very thin patches. Around 25mm of rain fell on the range on the 15/07. Upwards of 30cm fell with strong Southwest winds overnight on the 24/07. During the down pour the freezing level dropped to around 1500m leaving cold, dry snow above 1600m and wet snow below this level. A further 10cm fell with light southwest winds 25/07. Possible buried Surface Hoar was found within the latest storm snow.
Monday: Fine with morning frosts, possibly severe. High cloud developing in the afternoon. Light West to Southwest winds. Freezing level 1200m rising to 1600m in the evening.
Tuesday: Fine. Light winds. Freezing level 1600m rising to 2000m at night.
Ice axe and Crampons are recommended if venturing out. There are still some hard icy patches along ridgelines.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
