New Zealand · New Zealand Avalanche Advisory · part of New Zealand
Avalanche danger
Forecast issued yesterday · valid to Sep 20
Published by New Zealand Avalanche Advisory
A significant rise in temperature is forecast for this afternoon. This will create a widespread increase in hazard.
Get in early and retreat to lower angle, shady areas this afternoon.
Loose wet avalanches are likely to become an issue today.
Retreat to lower angle and shaded terrain in the late morning/afternoon.
Roller balls and sticky snow are a sign of rising instability.
The change will happen quickly today.
Areas of windslab have formed around terrain features overnight.
Avoid areas of obvious loading above cliffs or terrain traps and practise good group management.
Minimal observations in the region yesterday.
Reports of Glide cracks in steep areas with tussock at ground at lower elevations. Avoid any areas with obvious cracks.
5-10cm of new snow yesterday afternoon and overnight, with a dusting to low elevations this morning. Severe Gale SW winds have stripped windward slopes and loaded lee slopes.
There was rain on snow at lower elevations yesterday. Moist/wet snow exists below the crust and throughout the snowpack at lower elevations.
Glide is beginning to occur on steep ground at lower elevations. This is going to increase as a problem, give any cracks a wide berth.
The snow line in the Eastern parts of the region is around 1400m. In the West it is closer to 1000.
Snow showers clearing to fine and Gale SW easing. A significant warming is forecast with the FAFL expected to rise to 3000m through the afternoon into the evening.
Expect windward (W, SW) slopes to be stripped back to a firm crust.
High
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZ Mountain Safety Council)
