Avalanche Forecast

No recent avalanches have been reported, however field observations suggest new snow is bonding poorly to a buried crust. Human-triggered avalanches will be likely on Friday as new snow accumulates above the crust, and natural avalanches will be likely on wind-loaded slopes.

Stormy weather arrives Friday afternoon and will result in rapid accumulations of new snow above 1000 m. Intense snow transport is likely in open terrain due to extreme southerly winds. This snow is falling above a recently buried melt-freeze crust, and observations from the past few days suggest the snow will bond poorly to this crust. The crust is up to 10 cm thick at lower elevations and tapers down to 1 cm thick on shaded or high elevation terrain. Below this crust, the snowpack is generally strong and bonded.

Thursday night

Cloudy, scattered flurries bring 5 cm of new snow to the central and northern island, 60 to 80 km/h south wind, freezing level around 1000 m with treeline temperatures cooling to -2 ˚C.

Wednesday

Flurries becoming more intense around noon bringing a total of 20 to 30 cm of snow by the late afternoon, 80 to 100 m/h south to southeast wind, freezing level climbs to 1400 m in the morning then drops to 1000 m when the storm arrives midday.

Stormy weather continues with snow accumulations of 20 to 40 cm above 1000 m, 60 to 80 km/h south wind, treeline temperatures around -2 ˚C.

Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries bringing 5 to 10 cm of snow, 20 to 30 km/h south wind, freezing level around 1000 m, treeline temperatures around -2 ˚C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Choose low-angled, sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.
• Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
• Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the crust.
• Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.