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
1 · Low
Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

With new snow in the last few days and another fine day tomorrow, expect the loose wet avalanche hazard to increase during the day. Be cautious of steep sunny slopes and runouts.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    New snow plus sun equals loose, wet avalanche hazard. It's now had one day to settle, but the freezing level is rising again tomorrow. Be cautious of steep sunny/north facing terrain and runouts.

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    With more than 80cm of new snow at higher elevations in the last week, with changes in winds and temperatures, some pockets could be quite deep; expect some areas to be well over 1m deep. There has been 24hrs of settlement but caution of steep unsupported areas.

Recent Avalanche Activity

Multiple loose, wet size 1-1.5 were observed on all aspects on the 24th that ran during the storm. See public observation.

If you see anything, please report it in the public observations section of the NZAA website.

Current Snowpack Conditions

80mm of rain since Friday has fallen in Arthur's Pass. Initially rain below 1900m, but the freezing level dropped later in the storm with snow to 1100m. Over 80cm of new snow fell above 1900 m, with drifts to over 1m expected; expect some storm shears within the new snow. The lower elevations will have started wet, with new snow expected to have bonded well. All this fell on a generally well-settled snowpack. Limited snow cover below 1700m before the last storm. 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

Fine. Winds Southwesterly 30 km/h. Freezing level 1100 metres, lifting to 1800 metres at night.

Sliding Danger

Conditions have changed; new snow fell in the last few days, but with strong winds, so ridges may be stripped back to hard surfaces. Crampons and an ice axe are a good idea for ridge travel.

Forecast Confidence

High

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered