20100318 weather data for the 24 hours to 5.30am at 800m

Cold yesterday with about -10C all day at 2000m. Not so much sun either and wind higher up. This meant the only good corn was well below tree line and we found some at between 800m and 1200m on a north aspect. At 2000m there were reports of wind deposited storm snow mixed in with wide areas of scoured frozen rain crust. We found patches of wind deposit and at times felt like it was winter for a few consecutive turns.

Clear overnight with a rock hard spring snowpack in the valley this morning, remaining frozen at tree line all day with some snow to come and possible sleet/rain in the valley bottom.

Unless you go high with the hope of roaming for random patches of wind deposit amongst the ice, the best skiing is again at just below freezing level on corn before the precip starts.

With gradual snowfall forecast, good skiing by next week in the more distant backcountry, though the expected wind will strip the obvious places. Low angle gullies and depressions beyond Tsugaike and above 2000m will be ok, likewise some ‘other places’ lower down where the wind doesn’t reach as much yet the snowfall is higher than you get closer to town.