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Date Issued December 21, 2011 at 09:03AM

Valid Until: Friday 23 December, 2011.

DANGER RATINGS (Make sure you understand the danger level meanings)

Outlook	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Alpine	MODERATE	MODERATE	MODERATE
Treeline	LOW	LOW	MODERATE
Below Treeline	LOW	LOW	LOW

Confidence: Good. Though exact timing of a coming system is uncertain it's intensity seems predictable.

Main Concerns: (Avalanche problems)

Wind Slab - Thin wind slab has been created on weak layers near the surface by NW winds Tuesday. New slabs will be formed by SW winds and a little new snow on Friday.

Weather:

The Island Alps saw between 0 and 15cm of snow since Monday. None or near none in the south east corner of the forecast region and up to 15cm on the north island. Winds became moderate at tree line and strong in the alpine from the NW on Tuesday visibly making plumes of snow in the alpine. Temperatures remained seasonal though daytime warming softened snow surfaces on sunny aspects. The outlook is for continued high pressure bringing mostly sunny skies Wednesday and Thursday with light SW winds in the valley bottoms and up to moderate SW winds at tree line and above. Temperatures will remain seasonal with some day time warming. Friday will see a small upper trough bring up to 10cm of snow (less to the south east) with moderate to strong alpine winds from the SW. Freezing levels will rise to 1000 to 1200m with this system. Watch this bulletin on Friday. It looks like we may be getting significant precipitation and associated hazard for the Christmas weekend.

Snow Pack:

Snow surfaces range from supporting crusts at lower elevations to thin temperature crust at tree line and wind slab in the alpine. Near surface faceting has created layers of snow in the top of the snow pack that will be of interest when they get sufficient loading. New wind slabs have formed lee to NW winds in the alpine. The mid and lower pack is generally very strong. Weak layers at the base of the snow pack in the highest alpine only are not active at this time.

Avalanche Activity:

No new activity since last report.

Travel Advice:

Watch wind intensity and new snow amounts and enter wind effected areas with caution. Wind slabs have been formed by strong NW winds in the alpine on Tuesday. These will be touchy to triggers as they sit on weak layers. New slabs will be formed on Friday if SW winds are as forecast and there is a little mew snow to add to the mix.

Prepared by Jan Neuspiel

Posted in Current Conditions