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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 24th, 2024–Feb 25th, 2024

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

Regions

North Island.

New snow and wind are forming fresh and reactive slabs at upper elevations. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully as you travel.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

Snowpack Summary

Small amounts of dry snow accumulate over crusts and moist snow.

The mid and lower snowpack is generally uniform, with no significant layers of concern.

Below treeline, most areas are below threshold for avalanches.

Weather Summary

Areas outside the forecast region are forecast to receive significant precipitation Sunday. There is potential for these higher amounts to trickle into the northern extent of the forecast region.

Saturday night

5 to 10 cm of snow. 40 to 60 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 to 80 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level dropping to 800 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with around 5 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 500 m.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 300 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Storm snow and wind is forming touchy slabs. Use caution in lee areas in the alpine and treeline.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.

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.