Wind Slabs
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1.5
New snow will be moved around by the NW winds. Wind slab is likely to build on slopes facing NE through to SW
Avalanche forecast
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New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
Avalanche danger
- High Alpine · above 1,800 m
- 3 · Considerable
- Alpine · 1,200 m–1,800 m
- 2 · Moderate
- Sub Alpine · below 1,200 m
- 1 · Low
Out of date — this forecast expired last month. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.
Highlights
New snow and gale NW winds are forecast for the next few days.
Expect avalanche danger to rise over Monday and Tuesday.
Travel in avalanche terrain should be avoided until the storm has passed.
Avalanche problems
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 new snow may result in loose wet avalanching at mid and lower elevation.
Recent Avalanche Activity
No recent observations
Current Snowpack Conditions
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
Showers, turning to heavy rain for a time in the morning and afternoon. Snow lowering to 1100 metres at night.
Wind at 1000 metres - Northwesterly gale 70 km/h, easing to 45 km/h in the evening.
Wind at 2000 metres - Northwesterly gale 75 km/h, rising to severe gale 100 km/h in the morning and afternoon.
Freezing level - 1800 metres, lowering to 1400 metres in the afternoon.
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)