Saturday is forecast to be a sunny cold day, straight after new snow and wind.
Have a conservative approach and take the time to investigate the snowpack.
Areas of wind slab could be reactive to the weight of a person. If unsure, choose lower angled terrain.
The new snow is likely to have been moved around by the wind, initially from the NW, then the SW. Look out for wind slab on a range of aspects. This is most likely near ridgetop, and around terrain features on aspects facing east through to south.
The initial bond may be poor, as temperatures remain cold. It could be reactive to a light load, like the weight of a person.
A chance of loose dry avalanching (sluffing) out of steep terrain on Saturday, especially as the sun hits the bluffs. Take note of what is happening above you.
No recent observations.
Observations from Milford Track area, Darran's and Routeburn on 20 July -Slick frozen conditions below 17/1800m. Only the highest peaks (North Peak, Talbot, Mt Christina) had some slopes with enough snow to cover terrain features and look wind loaded.
Estimate about 10- 15cm of snow above 1500m on Friday, with more to come to low levels during Friday night. Moderate SW wind
About 30 - 45cm of snow above 1700m on 24 July, (with rain below) with strong NW wind
From 21 July - Below around 1800m the thin snowpack had a mixture of rain and snow over the week of 13th to 18th July, culminating in rain up to about 1750m on Saturday the 18th. This snowpack is generally thin, with much of it still below avalanche threshold, and rainsoaked and refrozen.
Above about 1800m there has been about 80 or 90 cm fall in northern Fiordland and about 60cm in the south, from a series of westerly fronts over the week of 13th to 18th July. There were warm temperatures on Saturday 18th and this snowpack is now thought to be stable, with possible remaining wind slab at the high elevation areas lee to the west but should be treated cautiously as there have been not observers in the field.
Mainly fine, but isolated showers north of Doubtful Sound before dawn, with snow to 200 metres on the eastern slopes.
Wind at 1000 metres - Southwesterly 40 km/h, dying out in the morning.
Wind at 2000 metres - Southwesterly 45 km/h, dying out in the morning.
Freezing level - 600 metres.
Some new snow will change surface conditions. The snowpack below about 1700 has been fast and hard and is likely wind scoured on windward slopes. Take an axe and crampons if you're exploring.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
