Wind Slabs
- All elevations
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1.5
Wind slab is expected to have developed over Saturday and will continue to develop over Sunday. There are strong winds forecast and expect the slabs to be where it's sheltered.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapFiordland
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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
- No rating
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 days ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.
Highlights
Saturday produced up to about 30 cm snow from the west, down to about 1700m in Northern Fiordland. Expect up to 40cm, from the west, down to about 800m on Sunday. There will be up to 100kph winds.
Expect windslabs with natural avalanche activity possible at ridgeline on the steep leeward slopes sheltered from the wind.
This would be a good day to stay out of the steep ground altogether.
Avalanche problems
Recent Avalanche Activity
Wed 13 Aug - A series of avalanching (unsure of type) off Mt Talbot observed in the afternoon.
Tuesday 12 Aug - Loose wet activity observed on all sunny aspects throughout the Darran Mountains
Sun 9th Aug- Some wet loose activity reported during rain in the Gertrude Valley area.
Current Snowpack Conditions
Sat 22nd Aug- up to about 25 cm fell above about 1750m in Northern Fiordland over the last day.
Fri 21st Aug- Snow is starting to fall above about 1500m as a storm approaches.
Post the 17th- Clear and calm with snow settling and strengthening.
Summary for week 12th-17th August
Over the 12-13th Aug around 45mm fell as snow (25cm) down to around 2000m with rain below that. The second half of the week had a sustained southerly flow with a low FAFL, down to 700m, with no precip. The FAFL is slowly rising now.
The snowpack is expected to be wet and refrozen below 1900/2000m. Above this the mid-pack may have layers, but the upper pack may be wet and refrozen. There may be a dry layered snowpack on the highest peaks, especially on the southerly half.
Fri 7th to Sun 9th. Up to 25cm fell above about 1700m in northern Fiordland. Expect some slab development in the steep ground near ridgetops. Below about 1700m expect a lattice of rain crusts or even rain-soaked snow at the very low elevations.
Mountain Weather
Temperatures drop about dawn on Sunday. Expect snow down to about 700m by the end of the day.
Sliding Danger
A refreeze of the wet snowpack took place, to about 1800m, on all aspects. The new snow may settle on the leeward aspects but expect anything. Take an axe and crampons if you're exploring when this storm clears.
Forecast Confidence
Moderate
- We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.
- We are uncertain due to variable freezing levels.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)