Aspiring

With rain falling on Tuesday and Wednesday up to 1900m saturating the snow pack and cold temperatures forecast for the day there will a high sliding hazard at mid and lower elevations. Carry an ice axe and crampons. Above 1900m up to 40cm of snow fell accompanied by winds up to gale strength from the NW - there may remain isolated pockets of unstable wind slab in steeper terrain. There was dusting of snow yesterday accompanied by moderate southerly winds - there may be some small pockets of fresh wind slab at higher elevations on slopes lee to the south.

On the 14th wet slab and loose wet avalanches were observed at mid and lower elevations due to the a warm wet cycle. Above 1900m isolated natural wind slab activity was observed in pockets of steeper terrain on slopes lee to the west.

If you see any recent avalanche occurrences or have any relevant snowpack information or photos, you can share them via the Public Observations link on the NZAA home page.

Above 1900m: There was dusting of snow yesterday accompanied by moderate southerly winds. Approximately 15-40cm of new snow fell from Tuesday to Thursday. This snow has largely bonded well to the old snow surface and the upper and mid pack are generally showing settled characteristics as total snow depths have increased and with warmer temperatures recorded. With the very strong winds experienced throughout the winter there is a high degree of spatial variability in the distribution of snow and there are still areas of unusually shallow snowpack at all elevations. The lower part of the snowpack appears consolidated and unreactive. Large cornices have also formed above 1800m.

Below 1900m rain has saturated the snow pack turning it isothermic. With colder temperatures there is a very slick snow surface.

Caution should still be taken, particularly in steeper, more extreme terrain where unknown weaknesses may exist.

Fine.

Wind at 1000 metres: Gale southeasterly 70 km/h, easing to 50 km/h early afternoon, and to 30 km/h at night.

Wind at 2000 metres: Southerly 55 km/h, rising to gale southeasterly 75 km/h in the morning. Easing to southerly 50 km/h late afternoon, then to 30 km/h at night.

Wind at 3000 metres: Southerly 40 km/h, rising to gale 65 km/h in the morning, easing to 40 km/h at night.

Freezing level: 800 metres, rising to 1200 metres in the evening.

Rain has fallen to 1900m creating a very slick frozen snow surface which with cold temperatures will present a sliding hazard all day. Take care. An ice axe and crampons could be necessary.

High

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