New Zealand · New Zealand Avalanche Advisory · partie de New Zealand
Danger d’avalanche
Bulletin émis 9 hours ago · valide jusqu’au Sep 1
Publié par New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
The storm has done its's thing but there are still zones to stay clear of with a mostly saturated heavy snowpack and wind transport up high.
Take conservative terrain selections and stay away from potential runout zones from above.
Strong westerly winds will build wind slab on sheltered NE through to SW facing slopes above 2000m and near ridgeline. Avoid recently loaded terrain and watch out for deeper drifts of stiff, wind-deposited snow at higher elevations near the Divide.
With a mostly saturated snow pack below 2000m, be wary of loose wet avalanches, especially on sunny slopes if the sun comes out at all.
A few showers about the divide, otherwise mainly fine, then showers becoming widespread in the afternoon.
Strong westerly winds, slowly easing and freezing level from 800m, rising to 1200m
Gale northwesterly winds will strip ridgelines back to a slick crust. Take an ice axe and crampons for ridge travel.
Low
Observations remain limited by bad weather. Ohau Ski Patrol reported:
27/8/26: Several size 1 loose dry avalanches below 1750m in the morning, and several size 1 loose wet avalanches at higher elevations in the afternoon as temperatures warmed and a few skier controlled loose slides as well.
26/8/26: Several size 1 loose wet avalanches from ski cutting at around 1900m on NE and SE aspects.
We still have limited field observations due to the ongoing storm.
The forecast area received roughly 40cm of new snow on Thursday. A warming trend through Thursday has meant the new snow is moist below around 1800m.
Below around 2200m the lower snowpack is saturated, and probably re-freezing during the nights and on shady slopes. Above 2200m up to an estimated 50cm of new snow fell last week on the tops of the highest peaks in the south of the forecast area, and over a metre of new snow is estimated to have fallen at higher elevations near the Divide. This snow has been redistributed into deep stiff wind drifts by sustained gale NW winds, with scoured crusts (now mostly buried) in exposed areas. Another 10cm is possible on Sunday and a couple more on Monday.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
