Avalanche forecast

Aoraki/Mt Cook

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
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Avalanche danger

High Alpine · above 2,000 m
2 · Moderate
Alpine · 1,500 m–2,000 m
2 · Moderate
Sub Alpine · below 1,500 m
1 · Low
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Highlights

Ongoing winds from the NW and SW are continuing to transport snow and build wind slabs. Look out for signs of recent windloading and exercise caution around steep, loaded entries; convex rolls; and unsupported terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Wind slab avalanches are still possible on sheltered N, E and S facing slopes near ridgeline above 1800m, as gale SW and NW winds continue.

    Plumes of blowing snow have been visible throughout the forecast area over the last few days. Much of that snow is sublimating (turning into water vapour in the air, rather than getting deposited on the snow surface), but some will be settling in start zones.

    Look out for signs of fresh loading or blowing snow, and be extra careful around steep entries, convex rolls, or unsupported slopes (patches of snow above cliffs).

Recent Avalanche Activity

A number of small loose wet avalanches ran on sunny slopes on the 17th.

Prior to this, there was an avalanche cycle during the storm on the 13th, 14th and 15th, with wind slab and storm slab avalanches on south and east aspects and loose wet avalanches on all aspects below around 1800m.

Current Snowpack Conditions

Around 120cm of new snow fell around the divide, tapering to around 100cm on the Liebigs, and 25cm in the eastern part of the forecast area above 2000m at the start of the week. This has been redistributed by gale NW and SW winds leaving deeper drifts in sheltered areas and slick crusts in exposed areas. Below around 1800m the snowpack is capped with a hard rain crust.

The new snow appears to be well bonded to the old snowpack, but we are continuing to monitor crust facet laminates in the lower pack in the eastern part of the forecast area.

Mountain Weather

Partly cloudy with a few showers in the morning.

Wind at 1000 metres: Westerly 60 km/h, dying out in the morning.

Wind at 2000 metres: Southwesterly 50 km/h, dying out in the afternoon.

Wind at 3000 metres: Southwesterly 60 km/h, dying out in the afternoon.

Freezing level: 1800 metres, lowering to 1300 metres in the evening.

Sliding Danger

Exposed areas have been stripped back to a slick crust by strong NW and SW winds. Below 1800m there may be slick rain crusts. Take an ice axe and crampons for any travel above the snowline.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We are confident due to a stable weather pattern.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

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