Wind Slabs
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1.5
Wind Slab may form especially, on South facing slopes above about 1700m. Avoid ridge line entry points and other steep unsupported slopes if you discover stiff, wind driven snow.
Avalanche forecast
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New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.
Highlights
Some snow (5 - 10cm) in the West. Very limited snow is expected further East. Strong to gale Northerly winds.
Be on the lookout for Wind Slab development particularly, on South facing slopes above about 1700m.
Avalanche problems
Recent Avalanche Activity
No avalanche activity recorded recently. Several back country Wind Slab avalanches were reported last weekend. These slides occurred on East facing slopes. Control work at Treble Cone over the past few days has produced multiple Wind Slab avalanches (predominantly size 1 but a few size 2) on East facing terrain.
If you see evidence of avalanches in the back country please enter a Public Observation.
Current Snowpack Conditions
A significant amount of snow fell (35cm) during the last storm 29th/30th. This snowfall has been redistributed by gale force winds from the Westerly half. Prior to the storm which arrived on Thursday 30/7 the snow pack was mostly stable. Having said that, facets and depth hoar (weak, sugary forms) have been found in places. These pockets of questionable strength appear to be reasonably isolated and are most likely to exist on slopes facing East to South. You would be wise to do some investigation before committing to steep, shady terrain.
Mountain Weather
Friday - patchy rain, more persistent in the West. Snow down to 1300m. Northerly winds rising to gale force at upper elevations. Freezing level - 1500m climbing to 1800m in the afternoon.
Sliding Danger
Recent gales have stripped many West facing areas and ridge lines back to icy crusts. Also, keep in mind that the underlying pack remains shallow especially, at lower elevations. Rocks and icy areas may be lurking below a thin cover of fresh snow. Consider carrying ski crampons and or an ice axe and crampons.
Forecast Confidence
Moderate
- We are uncertain if precipitation will fall as rain or snow.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)