7 Aug 2020

Avalanche alerts put out for parts of the country

11:22 am on 7 August 2020

People planning to venture into the backcountry are urged to take care after overnight snowfall in the South Island.

Generic scenic shot of Mt Cook

Aoraki/Mt Cook Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

An alert for dangerous avalanche conditions is in place for high alpine areas of Aoraki/Mt Cook after up to 30 centimetres of new snow fell overnight.

Avalanches large enough to injure, bury or kill a person have been sighted at the national park earlier this week.

Arthur's Pass has a similar alert for high alpine areas.

A moderate risk of avalanches has been issued in high alpine areas in Wanaka, Fiordland and Nelson Lakes, and alpine areas at Arthur's Pass, Aoraki/Mt Cook and Tongariro.