Avalanche forecast

Arthur's Pass

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 1,800 m
2 · Moderate
Alpine · 1,200 m–1,800 m
2 · Moderate
Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired last month. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

With snow forecast tomorrow, the wind slab hazard will increase during the day. If more than 10 cm falls, expect to change your plans to conservative lines to keep out of steeper ground.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    If the snow that is forecast arrives (more than 10cm) expect the wind slab hazard to increase during the day.

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    With rain forecasst tomorrow, lower elevations will have increasing loose wet hazard as the rain falls. Keep out of steeper ground if its raining.

Recent Avalanche Activity

Nothing reported in the last few days. If you see anything, please report it in the public observations section of the NZAA website.

Further south, a loose wet cycle has occurred in the Arrowsmiths region after the last storm cycle.

Current Snowpack Conditions

Generally a well-settled snowpack. Limited snow cover below 1700m. There have been a couple of storm cycles this season, bringing a base at higher elevation associated with strong winds leaving a pressed snowpack with no significant layers of concern. At lower elevations (below 2000m) ice crusts exist but bonding to the ice layers has been good.

Mountain Weather

Mostly cloudy with isolated showers, becoming widespread for a time in the morning and falling as snow above 1500 metres. Winds Westerly 60 km/h, easing to 35 km/h in the morning, then rising to 50 km/h at night. Freezing level 1700 metres.

Sliding Danger

Expect firm areas from strong winds, mostly on ridge lines and high points. Crampons and an ice axe are a good idea.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast snowfall amounts.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered