Avalanche forecast

Taranaki

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
View on map

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
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 days ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Still concerns around the wind slab developed in this storm, this concern grows as we are about to see a change in weather.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2.5

    More snow has been moved around by the South to southwest winds over the last 24 hours. Adding more mass to the existing areas of wind slab. The concern with more snow being transported by wind is the additional weight it places on the slope above any existing weak layers. In addition, a weather shift expected for Wednesday and Thursday toward warmer conditions is a concern, keep an eye on temperatures and what the freezing level does over the next few days. Travel on the mountain needs to be carefully thought out, choosing routes that avoid or limit your risk to the avalanche problem. Remembering the current avalanche problem will impact the upper tracks, especially now that most avalanche paths have full tracks and reasonable mass in the start zones. Always carry your own avalanche rescue equipment, and ensure before every trip you run through your checks before venturing into avalanche terrain.

Recent Avalanche Activity

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

Current Snowpack Conditions

A little top-up of snow over Tuesday, adding to the 30cm plus of new snow received during the storm above 1200m, noting depth varies with altitude and exposure to the wind. Winds have been constant over this period out of the South and strong to gale strength, creating areas of wind slab. The wind slab that has formed on leeward aspects we are expecting instabilities to have developed within these areas. The snow pack will need time to settle and build stronger bonds after this weather event.

Mountain Weather

Expecting some clearance this morning with the potential for passing showers and winds remaining out of the southwest and moderate. Conditions are likely to warm up today keep an eye on the freezing level

Sliding Danger

Exposed wind-exposed slopes where scouring has occurred will be firm on the old snow surface.

Forecast Confidence

High

  • We are confident the likelihood of avalanches will increase with the forecast weather.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered