Fiordland

Some new snow and strong NW/W winds are forecast for Tuesday

Pockets of wind slab may start to form, especially at higher elevations.

Have a flexible plan, in case the weather comes in early.

There are no recent observations.

Around 10cm snow fell down to about 1650m on Saturday night. Expect it to be reasonably bonded to the underying layers after a warm clear day on Sunday. Conditions below around 1650m are expected to be slick.

Around 10cm snow fell above about 1600m over Saturday , accompanied by Westerly winds.

Over Friday forecast warm temperatures and rain to high elevations did not eventuate. The snowpack should have settled at the mid elevations remained cold at the upper elevation band.

Over Thursday there was about 5 or 6 cm snow down to about 1500m, and up to about 15mm rain below that.

Over Wednesday there was around 10cm snow down to about 1200m with loading on the slopes lee to the west.

Over Tues 14th there was around 25 cm in the south and up to to 50cm in the north , with loading on slopes lee to the west, above 1900m, and a mix of rain and snow below 1900m, and just rain below around 1400m.

Over Monday 13th there was around 20cm snow above around 1900m and a mix of rain and snow below.

There is a thin snow cover below 1800m, (observed from flight around Milford Track and neighboring valleys to the east 7 July).

Est. 50-80 cm of snow above 1800m from 3-5th July storm, with less at lower levels, to about 15cm at 1100m.

The first snow fall of the winter was on 24/25th June, with about 10cm at 800m in the South of the forecasting area. There was less snow in the North, estimating about 10-20 cm above 1600m, on tussock, rock and slabs.

Rain developing this morning, heavy at times from afternoon. Snow possible to 1500 metres.

Wind at 1000 metres - Light, rising to northwesterly 40 km/h in the morning, then to 60 km/h for a time in the afternoon and evening.

Wind at 2000 metres - Westerly gale 75 km/h.

Freezing level - 1400 metres rising to 1700 metres in the afternoon.

There was rain below about 1700m on Saturday night. The snowpack below about 1700 will be fast and hard. Take an axe and crampons if you're exploring.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
• We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.