Aspiring

Gale force winds from the W quarter continue and will have created a fresh wind slab problem which will develop further with additional snow transport.

Heavy rain at lower and mid elevations has created a wet snow hazard. With cooler temperatures and the snowpack draining this hazard is decreasing slowly.

Temperatures have fluctuated widely during the storm and with no field observations there are many unknowns in the snowpack in the region. Continue to treat any steeper terrain and runouts with caution. At lower and mid elevations be wary of any slopes that are wet and unconsolidated.

A cautious approach is still advised in all avalanche terrain.

Weather has prevented any observations in the region for several days now. The large storm cycle will have produced widespread natural wind slab and wet snow avalanches. Reports from adjacent regions indicate large, widespread natural avalanches have occurred.

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.

Fresh snow fall potentially over 2m has fallen in the region at higher elevations, amounts taper down at lower elevations with rain falling below 1900m-1600m as temperatures fluctuated. These temperature fluctuations have been large and coupled with winds from around the clock will see wide variations in the structure and depth of the storm snow. Unusually, at the end of the storm temperatures spiked rapidly, rain saturated the snow pack to approximately 1800m. This storm snow has fallen on a variety of bed surfaces - facets, wind pressed and wind stripped - poor cohesion is likely.

Previously above 1900m: A mix of faceted surface snow and wind pressed snow existed on south aspects. 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. With continued cold temperatures some near surface faceting had been observed. 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 last week had saturated the snow pack creating a very stout supportive rain crust. With cold morning temperatures there was a very slick snow surface. With continued cold temperatures and a shallow snow pack some facet development had been observed.

Today 30 Aug

Showers. Snow lowering to 900 metres in the afternoon.

Wind at 1000 metres: Westerly 50 km/h, but southwesterly gale 70 km/h about the western slopes.

Wind at 2000 metres: Westerly severe gale 90 km/h.

Wind at 3000 metres: Southwesterly severe gale 120 km/h.

Freezing level: 1600 metres, lowering to 1200 metres in the afternoon.

With severe gale force winds stripping snow at altitude and rain having fallen to 1800m there may be areas of slick frozen snow surface which with cold temperatures would present a sliding hazard. Take care. An ice axe and crampons could be necessary.

Low

• We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
• We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.