Backcountry travel should still be avoided on Friday as the storm continues to move over the region.
During this time, there is a considerable risk of wind slab avalanches occurring.
Local ski fields may be the best place to be.
Storm and wind slab will likely keep forming over Friday as old snow and new snow get redistributed by strong to gale west-northwest winds. With the large quantity of snow now available for transport, new wind slabs could easily be over 100cm in depth. South and east-facing aspects above 1500m will be affected the most. Then, as winds shift to southerly later on Friday, we can expect to see this problem developing on north aspects too.
No recent reports before this current storm.
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.
Until early afternoon on Thursday 20-30cm of new snow may have fallen above around 1800m. A further 10-20cm may have fallen after this to around 1200m as temperatures dropped. Winds have been strong to gale from the northwest over Thursday and are forecast to go westerly, then southerly by Friday afternoon.
Previously the snowpack was still shallow, approximately 60- 70 cm below 1700m and 120cm at 2000m. Crevasses are still very open, and many rock features are still visible, particularly on west-facing aspects. Recent storm and wind transported snow from last week appears to have settled and bonded well in most areas around the region with no significant reports of instability. Although the pack appears consolidated, the Aspiring region is very large, and there is still limited data. Caution should still be taken, particularly in steeper, more extreme terrain where unknown weaknesses may exist.
Forecast for Friday
Rain, possibly heavy and thundery before dawn, then easing to showers in the morning. Snow to 800 metres, clearing in the evening.
Wind at 1000 metres Westerlies gale 65 km/h, easing to southeasterly 35 km/h in the afternoon.
Wind at 2000 metres Westerlies gale 80 km/h, turning southerly gale 70 km/h in the afternoon.
Wind at 3000 metres Westerlies gale 70 km/h, turning southerly gale 65 km/h.
Freezing level 1200 metres, lowering to 700 metres in the evening.
Issued: 1:30pm Thu 30 Jul
Mostly soft conditions; however, depending on your objective, an ice axe and crampons should always be considered.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
