Avalanche forecast

Fiordland

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 1,800 m
3 · Considerable
Alpine · 1,200 m–1,800 m
3 · Considerable
Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
1 · Low
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Highlights

Around 20cm new snow from the NW and above around 1600m is forecast over Monday night and over the day on Tuesday.

Expect avalanche danger to rise over Monday and Tuesday.

Travel in avalanche terrain above around 1500m should be avoided until the storm has passed.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1.5

    Wind slab is likely to build on slopes facing NE through to SW as the snow is moved around by the NW and then westerly winds. Slopes facing the wind are expected to be scoured.

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    The freezing level is forecasted to rise and fall over the next few days. Rain on the new snow may result in loose wet avalanches at the mid and lower elevations.

Recent Avalanche Activity

No recent observations

Current Snowpack Conditions

There was around 20cm snow above around 1900m over Monday.

There is a thin snow cover below 1800m, (observed from flight around Milford Track and neighboring valleys to the east 7 July).

Est. 50-80 cm of snow above 1800m from 3-5th July storm, with less at lower levels, to about 15cm at 1100m.

The first snow fall of the winter was on 24/25th June, with about 10cm at 800m in the South of the forecasting area. There was less snow in the North, estimating about 10-20 cm above 1600m, on tussock, rock and slabs.

Mountain Weather

There is snow forecast above around 1500m over Monday night and over the daytime on Tuesday.

Sliding Danger

Icy conditions are to be expected, on slabs and at higher elevations, which have been stripped back by S/SE winds. Take ice axe and crampons.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
  • We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered