Wind Slabs
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 2
Strong winds and snow transport will continue. Care will be required on south and eastern half-aspects as the new snow is redistributed by strong southwest winds.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapNelson Lakes
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
Avalanche danger
- High Alpine · above 1,800 m
- 3 · Considerable
- Alpine · 1,200 m–1,800 m
- 2 · Moderate
- Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
- No rating
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.
Highlights
Wind slab avalanche danger is now considerable due to new snow and strong winds. Caution will be required as a small avalanche may carry you into rocks.
Avalanche problems
Cornices
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
Cornice development is possible at ridge crest above 1800m. Care will be required as cornices may trigger the accumulated wind-transported snow below.
Loose Wet
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1.5
Despite cold air temperatures, loose wet avalanches may be possible on north-facing aspects during the hottest part of the day due to solar radiation.
Recent Avalanche Activity
No observations. Please provide a public observation if out and about above the snow line using the link below.
Current Snowpack Conditions
Reasonably consistent snow cover exists above 1800 meters. Below 2000 meters, the snow may overlie a hard rain crust. Below 1700 meters, the snowpack is mostly below threshold currently (not enough snow to trigger an avalanche). The snow on the ground before this storm is expected to be reasonably strong, but few field observations have been possible. With new snow falling currently, uncertainty over the strength of the current snowpack will increase, so conservative decision-making will be required as more snow accumulates. With changing wind direction during this storm, the wind slab danger will become more widespread.
Mountain Weather
The current snowfall will stop during Friday night and clear to a fine day on Saturday morning. Strong to gale force southerlies all day. Freezing level 700m rising to 1000m late on Saturday.
Sliding Danger
North-facing aspects at lower elevation may be hard. Sliding into rock is a potential hazard. Ice axe and crampons will need to be carried.
Forecast Confidence
Moderate
- We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
- We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)