Avalanche forecast

Taranaki

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
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Wind slab is the concern with this storm with continued wind moving snow around on the upper reaches of the mountain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2.5

    The advisory will remain at Considerable for another day as we are still in the immediate period after the storm. Wind is still continuing to move snow around, and there are snow showers in the forecast. The wind slab that has formed will need time to start building strength. There is concern more snow with wind transport will be the additional weight need to trigger an avalanche. 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.

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.

Recent Avalanche Activity

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

Current Snowpack Conditions

30cm plus of new snow during this last storm above 1200m, noting depth varies with altitude and exposure to the wind. Winds have been out of the South and strong to gale strength during the storm 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

Snow showers developing during Wednesday to 900m with strong Southerly winds

Sliding Danger

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

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered