Spring storm may trigger avalanches

The spring storm currently passing over the South Island has the potential to cause another avalanche.

MetService has a severe weather warning in place, with heavy rain forecast for the Southern Alps and and severe gales forecast for Canterbury. Most of the South Island's ski fields were closed yesterday due to the strong winds.

Mountain Safety Council spokesman Ray Goldring says the heavy rain has the potential to disrupt the mountains as it filters down through the snow.

"It could consolidate it. On the other hand in weighting the snow pack it could increase the problems with the avalanche in those areas where it's currently kind of on the borderline of going and staying."

Currently avalanche.net.nz is reporting a high risk of avalanche at Mt Cook, a considerable risk for Arthurs Pass, while Mt Hutt and the Craigieburn Range are at a moderate risk.

Three people were killed in avalanches in the Southern Alps in the space of three weeks over winter.

- NEWSTALK ZB