Avalanche forecast

Craigieburn Range

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
View on map

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
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 weeks ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind Slab is still lingering in the upper elevations.

As the weather warms up, Loose Wet avalanches will be the one to watch.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Steep sunny aspects at mid elevation could soften enough during the day to produce small Loose Wet avalanches.Roller-balling is the first sign that the surface is warming up.

  • 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, above 1600m. Mt Hutt found a weaker layer within the latest storm snow.

  • Loose Dry

    • All elevations
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Expect any new snow accumulated in steep sheltered terrain and could produce small Loose Dry avalanches, especially above 1800m.

Recent Avalanche Activity

Multiple small Wind Slabs triggered with explosives control across the range, 26/07.

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. Possible buried Surface Hoar was found within the latest storm snow.

Mountain Weather

Tuesday: Fine with morning frosts, possibly severe. Light winds. Freezing level 1600m 2000m.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Westerly winds developing rising to gale in the evening. Freezing level around 2300m.

Sliding Danger

Ice axe and Crampons are recommended if venturing out. There are still some hard icy patches along ridgelines.

Forecast Confidence

Moderate

  • We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.
  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.

New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)

Regions covered