Arthur's Pass — Avalanche Forecast

Loose wet avalanches to size 1.5 have been observed during the past week. Please keep these public observations coming! They are a great resource for mountain users and super helpful for us in forecasting. So, please report any avalanches you see or come across in the public observations section of the NZAA website. Showers, becoming few and far between in the afternoon, then clearing to fine in the evening. Winds Gale northerly 75 km/h, easing to northwesterly 55 km/h late morning. Changing southwesterly 30 km/h late afternoon, turning southeasterly 30 km/h late evening. Freezing level 2500 metres, lifting above 3000 metres in the morning. Rain is forecast tonight, so expect soft conditions. Expect firm conditions in the mornings if it's a clear night. Crampons and an ice axe are an essential part of your mountain travel equipment.

Light rain today has softened the snow surface; with the high freezing level, the snowpack at lower elevations will be isothermal (soft and wet). There is still a large snow base above 1800 meters. The recent fine weather has resulted in a typical melt-freeze spring snowpack.