Avalanche forecast

Arthur's Pass

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 1,800 m
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A settling snowpack and warmer temps reduce but do not eliminate the risk of avalanches.

Maintain situational awareness and select your route to allow for changing hazard during the day.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    In isolated areas of steep terrain facing the sun loose wet avalanches might be skier triggered or might run from above you.

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Windslabs may be present in isolated pockets on slopes from NW through SE aspects. Be alert to firm snow pillows lee to ridge tops and around mid-slope terrain features.

Mountain Weather

Forecast for Thursday 6 August

Fine.

Wind at 1000 metres

Light.

Wind at 2000 metres

Light.

Freezing level

1200 metres, lifting to 1500 metres before dawn.

Sliding Danger

Expect areas to be stripped back to hard surfaces from the gale winds at higher elevations. Crampons and an ice axe are a good idea, as many firmer areas now exist.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Recent Avalanche Activity

No avalanche activity reported.

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

Current Snowpack Conditions

The upper snow pack is well settled and warmer temps on Thursday will continue this trend. There are wind stripped surfaces at higher elevations on NW through S aspects. Below this settling upper snow pack is a formerly wind pressed snowpack from earlier in the season with no significant layers of concern. There are limited observations of the new snow line around the forecast area, but threshold for avalanches is estimated at around 1500m in the west, tapering east. At lower elevations (below 2000m) ice crusts exist but bonding to the ice layers has been good.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered