Aoraki/Mt Cook — Avalanche Forecast

A size 2 wet slab was reported below Cinerama Col on a Sw aspect, 2000m elevation, November 14 Reports of loose wet avalanching up to size 1.5 at the head of the Tasman on November 12, on most aspects. A size 4 wet slab was observed to have run into the Tasman valley next to the Freshfield Glacier on November 8, triggered by rockfall. It was triggered at about 2000m elevation and ran about 1500m distance and around 800m vertical.  ForecastHeavy rain with snow to 2700 metres, clearing to fine in the afternoon.Wind at 1000 metresNorthwesterly 55 km/h, dying out in the morning.Wind at 2000 metresNorthwesterly severe gale 100 km/h, easing to gale 70 km/h in the morning, then to in the afternoon, then dying out in the evening.Wind at 3000 metresNorthwesterly severe gale 95 km/h, easing to gale 70 km/h in the morning, then to 50 km/h in the afternoon.Freezing level3100 metres, lowering to 1800 metres in the afternoon. An ice axe and crampons are essential for safe travel on snow in spring conditions.

A wet and warm early November has left the pack below 2500m moist, with plenty of rain falling. Conditions at higher elevations will be more layered where recent precipitation fell as snow. There has been significant snow loss at lower elevations. Heavy rain is overnight Sunday and into Monday will further weaken mid and low elevation snow, while windslab will develop above .