Avalanche forecast

Craigieburn Range

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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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
1 · Low
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Highlights

New snow on the range.

Wind Slab is the hazard to watch.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5

    Expect Wind Slabs to have formed on steep Northern 1/2 aspects. Watch for dense pockets of wind blown snow if in terrain above 30degrees.

  • Loose Dry

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Cold temperatures are forecast for the next few days. Expect any new snow which falls to accumulate in steep sheltered terrain and could produce small Loose Dry avalanches. Although these are generally small, with current conditions, they have potential to run far and fast.

Recent Avalanche Activity

Loose Dry/Wet reported 24/07 Southwest aspect 1850m, South end of the range. Multiple small Wind Slabs triggered with explosives control across the range, 25/07.

Current Snowpack Conditions

Coverage is patchy with significant pockets of wind deposited snow all the way through to very thin patches. Around 25mm of rain fell on the range on the 15/07. Upwards of 30cm fell with strong Southwest winds overnight on the 24/07. During the down pour the freezing level dropped to around 1500m leaving cold, dry snow above 1600m and wet snow below this level. A further 10cm fell with light southwest winds 25/07. Forecast is for the temperature to get cold for the next 24hrs.

Mountain Weather

Sunday: Fine, with morning frost, possibly severe in sheltered places. light winds. Freezing level 600m rising to 1200m in the morning.

Monday: Fine. Light Westerly winds. Freezing level 1300m.

Sliding Danger

Ice axe and Crampons are recommended if venturing out.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.
  • We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered