Ohau

The storm has done its's thing but there are still zones to stay clear of with a mostly saturated heavy snowpack.

Take conservative terrain selections and stay away from potential runout zones from above.

About the Main Divide: Showers. Elsewhere: Mainly fine, a possible afternoon or evening shower about the Mackenzie Basin.

Strong westerly winds and a freezing level around 1300m

Low

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
• We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

Observations remain limited by bad weather. Ohau Ski Patrol reported:

27/8/26: Several size 1 loose dry avalanches below 1750m in the morning, and several size 1 loose wet avalanches at higher elevations in the afternoon as temperatures warmed and a few skier controlled loose slides as well.

26/8/26: Several size 1 loose wet avalanches from ski cutting at around 1900m on NE and SE aspects.

We still have limited field observations due to the ongoing storm.

The forecast area received roughly 40cm of new snow on Thursday. A warming trend through Thursday has meant the new snow is moist below around 1800m.

Below around 2200m the lower snowpack is saturated, and probably re-freezing during the nights and on shady slopes. Above 2200m up to an estimated 50cm of new snow fell last week on the tops of the highest peaks in the south of the forecast area, and over a metre of new snow is estimated to have fallen at higher elevations near the Divide. This snow has been redistributed into deep stiff wind drifts by sustained gale NW winds, with scoured crusts (now mostly buried) in exposed areas. Another 10cm is possible on Sunday.

Gale northwesterly winds will strip ridgelines back to a slick crust on Friday. Take an ice axe and crampons for ridge travel.