Aspiring

With recent rain falling up to 1900m saturating the snow pack and cold morning temperatures there will be a high sliding hazard at mid and lower elevations until things warm up. Carry an ice axe and crampons.

Temperatures remain cool but wet slab and loose wet avalanches may become an issue on solar aspects later in the day.

Above 1900m there may remain isolated pockets of unstable wind slab in steeper terrain.

Though the avalanche hazard is generally low, be aware that small avalanches can still occur and in terrain with poor run outs these can be consequential.

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 a dusting of snow Saturday 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. With continued cold temperatures some near surface faceting has 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 has saturated the snow pack creating a very stout supportive rain crust. With cold morning temperatures there is a very slick snow surface. With continued cold temperatures and a shallow snow pack some facet development has been observed.

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

Fine. Cloud developing in the afternoon with possible light showers.

Wind at 1000 metres: Light, northwesterly 30 km/h developing at night.

Wind at 2000 metres: Southwesterly 30 km/h, becoming northwesterly 30 km/h at night.

Wind at 3000 metres: Southwesterly 40 km/h.

Freezing level: 2500 metres, lowering to 1900 metres in the morning, then to 1500 metres at night.

Last week rain fell 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.