Fiordland and Aoraki Mt Cook have alerts for heightened conditions in alpine areas, with the potential for avalanches as storm snow falls. At Aoraki Mt Cook, avalanches large enough to hurt, kill or bury people were witnessed last week. The Nelson Lakes area has an alert for a moderate risk for higher elevations. Photo: MetServiceIn the North Island, there's a heightened risk of avalanches for all elevations at Tongariro. In August an avalanche hit a skiing party on Aoraki Mt Cook, triggering a helicopter rescue.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 17, 2019 21:33 UTC