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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2025–Dec 7th, 2025

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

North Island, South Island, West Island.

Ongoing snowfall and strong wind will continue building reactive wind slab at elevations above 1500m.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

With a limited early-season snowpack, there are not many reports from the backcountry. There have been no recent reports of avalanches.

Following this weekends storm, there is the potential for reactive wind slabs to exist in the alpine and treeline where precipitation falls as snow.

If you head into the mountains, please share any observations or photos on the MIN.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of new snow at upper elevations will be redistributed by strong southwest wind on Saturday night. Snow depth varies rapidly with elevation. There is no snow below 1000 m, about 30 to 70 cm at treeline, and up to 120 cm in the high alpine.

Overall, the snowpack is strong without any layers of concern.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night
Cloudy. 5 to 15 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 15 to 25 mm of rain at treeline. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.

Monday
Cloudy. 25 to 45 mm of rain at treeline. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Tuesday
Mostly cloudy. 4 to 10 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Snow is accumulating at higher elevations, despite lower elevations being almost snow-free.
  • Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.