Wind Slabs
- Todas las altitudes
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 2
Look out for small pockets of wind slab on a range of aspects. This is most likely near ridgetop, and around terrain features on aspects facing east through to south.
The snowpack will be becoming more stable, but small pockets of wind slab may still be found.
Please submit any observations you make. They are most appreciated.
Look out for small pockets of wind slab on a range of aspects. This is most likely near ridgetop, and around terrain features on aspects facing east through to south.
A chance of loose dry avalanching (sluffing) out of steep terrain especially as the sun hits the bluffs. Take note of what is happening above you.
The freezing level is rising on Monday, and some drizzle is possible, or sun. Loose wet activity is possible out of the steepest terrain and cliff bands
Please see the public observations for some photos from the Darran's on Sunday. Cold dry snow, very wind affected. Loose dry avalanches of the cliff bands observed. Cracking noted when travelling on wind loaded areas.
Observations from Milford Track area, Darran's and Routeburn on 20 July -Slick frozen conditions below 17/1800m. Only the highest peaks (North Peak, Talbot, Mt Christina) had some slopes with enough snow to cover terrain features and look wind loaded.
Report from the Darran's on Sunday. Snow cold and dry, Wind scoured with areas of loading. Cracking (about 1 meter in size) on loaded areas when weight added Estimate about 20 - 30cm of snow above 1500m on Friday 24th. Moderate SW wind
About 30 - 45cm of snow above 1700m on 24 July, (with rain below) with strong NW wind
From 21 July - Below around 1800m the thin snowpack had a mixture of rain and snow over the week of 13th to 18th July, culminating in rain up to about 1750m on Saturday the 18th. This snowpack is generally thin, with much of it still below avalanche threshold, and rainsoaked and refrozen.
Above about 1800m there has been about 80 or 90 cm fall in northern Fiordland and about 60cm in the south, from a series of westerly fronts over the week of 13th to 18th July. There were warm temperatures on Saturday 18th and this snowpack is now thought to be stable, with possible remaining wind slab at the high elevation areas lee to the west but should be treated cautiously as there have been not observers in the field.
Showers, falling as snow above 1400 metres, easing towards evening. Mainly fine in the north.
Wind at 1000 metres - Westerly 30 km/h,but rising to 50 km/h south of Doubtful Sound in the morning.
Wind at 2000 metres - Westerly 30 km/h, rising to 55 km/h in the morning, easing to 30 km/h at night.
Freezing level - 1000 metres, lifting to 1500 metres in the morning, then to 1800 metres at night.
Surface conditions are variable, with wind scouring on windward slopes. Take an axe and crampons if you're exploring.
Moderate
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)