Avalanche forecast

Queenstown

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
2 · Moderate
Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
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Highlights

Start zones and ridge-lines are places to avoid today, if you can stand that is ! The backcountry is transitioning today, travel is not recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Certainly wind transport today. Soft and hard slab conditions will form on slopes in the lee of strong N winds. Rain below 1900 m is also possible. Remember, snow has fallen on to bare rock/tussock.

Recent Avalanche Activity

No recent activity reported.

Current Snowpack Conditions

Not convinced we will see rain/snow arriving around our region until late in the day. Severe gale strength N winds will transport any loose snow on to lee aspects at most elevations. Ridge-lines will be scoured back to bare rocks. Wind-slab conditions in start zones and around terrain features are possible. Rain on snow is also possible. Coverage is still thin, we are seeing a good base develop. Many hidden hazards sit just below a thin coverage.

Mountain Weather

Rain/snow moving in as the day progresses. Severe gale strength N winds will batter the snowpack. The freezing level is rising to 1900 m.

Sliding Danger

N/A

Forecast Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
  • We are uncertain due to rapidly changing freezing levels.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered