Avalanche forecast

Taranaki

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
View on map

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
No rating
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Varied conditions on the mountain are set to continue as we progress into the weekend with this storm system. Wind slab development on the upper mountain and wet snow on the lower parts becoming firm with a cool change.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    An increased avalanche hazard is expected as we progress into the weekend due to this weather system. Current westerly winds are transporting snow above 1500m onto Easterly aspects, starting the development of wind slab. As temperatures lower on Friday, this will continue and see the potential for new snow instabilities to form in these wind slab areas. Noting with the change late Friday into Saturday to the south, the hazard location will shift. The next 24 hours will see varied conditions across the mountain, so care will be required if venturing into the alpine. Avalanche rescue equipment along with your crampons and ice axe are essential for Taranaki; it seems an odd mix but this is the case for the varied conditions you are likely to come across.

Recent Avalanche Activity

No human-triggered or naturally triggered avalanches have been reported or observed over the past 24 hours.

Current Snowpack Conditions

100mm+ of precip over the last 24 hours, with a freezing level around the 1500m mark and moderate Westerly winds. Snow above 1500m will have started to build wind slab on Easterly aspects. Noting this event has arrived warm so we are expecting a good old new snow bond. Concerns will be if any new snow instabilities have or are developing in the transport and deposition phase.

Mountain Weather

The freezing level is expected to lower for Friday, and snow showers are expected to continue into the weekend with a Southerly change. Could see snow as low as 1000m on Saturday.

Sliding Danger

Conditions have warmed, and with some moisture over the last 24 hours, as temperatures drop, things will firm up. Caution needed heading into the weekend.

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 variable freezing levels.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered