New Zealand · 12.09.2026

Craigieburn Range

Level 2: 1800 m–and above · Level 2: 1200 m–1800 m · Level 1: 1200 m–and above

Moderate

Danger level

2 — Moderate

Snowpack stability

The snowpack is only moderately well bonded on some steep slopes; otherwise well bonded in general.

Likelihood of triggering

Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.

Avalanche problems

Wet snow
The avalanche problem is related to a weakening of the snowpack due to the presence of liquid water. Water infiltrates the snowpack due to melt or rain.
Good timing and trip planning are important. Consider avalanche runout zones.
Affected aspects
WestNorthwestNorthNortheast
Wind slab
Wind slabs are formed when loose snow in near-surface layers (new snow or old snow) is transported and deposited by wind.
Avoid wind-drifted deposits in steep terrain.
Affected aspects
NorthNortheastEastSoutheast

Stability

Snow coverage across the forecast area is super variable. Up to 170cm in some areas down to rime covered rocks in others. A very 'spring like' snowpack exists at the moment with a few crusts remaining at upper elevations only. The snowpack is now draining and becoming isothermic in all areas below 1800m. Around 30cm of snow fell to around 1400m 06/09 with a lowering freezing level. A further 5cm of snow fell to 1200m overnight on the 07/09 with light Northwest winds. Northwest winds increased in the afternoon 09/09 and began redistributing some of this new snow onto Southeast 1/2 aspects. Previous surfaces on these aspects were noted to have 'frost dried' with surface hoar (feathery crystals) observed in the morning before the wind picked up.

Snow quality

Porters reported stubborn Wind Slabs on SE aspects 11/09 after overnight Northwest winds.

Weather

Sunday: Showers about the Divide, clearing to fine in the morning. Mainly fine elsewhere with morning frosts and some evening cloud. Westerly gale easing turning Southwest and dying out in the evening. Freezing level 1700m rising to 2000m in the afternoon.Monday: Fine. Light winds. Freezing level 1800m rising to 2400m in the morning.

European Avalanche Danger Scale

Official scale used by European avalanche warning services.

5 — Very high
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is poorly bonded and largely unstable in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Numerous very large and often extremely large natural avalanches can be expected, even in moderately steep terrain.
4 — High
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is poorly bonded on most steep slopes.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is likely, even from low additional loads, on many steep slopes. In some cases, numerous large and often very large natural avalanches can be expected.
3 — Considerable
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is moderately to poorly bonded on many steep slopes.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is possible, even from low additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. In certain situations some large, and in isolated cases very large natural avalanches are possible.
2 — Moderate
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is only moderately well bonded on some steep slopes; otherwise well bonded in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.
1 — Low
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is well bonded and stable in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in isolated areas of very steep, extreme terrain. Only small and medium natural avalanches are possible.

Avalanche problems

Typical problem types defined by EAWS.

New snow
The avalanche problem is related to current or most recent snowfall. The amount of additional loading by new snow onto the existing snowpack is the crucial factor of the new snow problem. How critical the loading is, depends on various factors such as air temperature, wind or characteristics of the old snow surface.
Wind slab
Wind slabs are formed when loose snow in near-surface layers (new snow or old snow) is transported and deposited by wind.
Persistent weak layers
The avalanche problem is related to the presence of one or more persistent weak layers in the old snowpack. These weak layers typically include faceted crystals, depth hoar or surface hoar crystals.
Wet snow
The avalanche problem is related to a weakening of the snowpack due to the presence of liquid water. Water infiltrates the snowpack due to melt or rain.
Gliding snow
The entire snowpack is gliding on the ground, typically on smooth ground such as grassy slopes or smooth rock zones. High activity of glide-snow avalanches is typically related to a thick snowpack with no or only few weak layers. Glide-snow avalanches can occur both with a cold dry snowpack and with a warm moist or wet snowpack. The release of a glide-snow avalanche is difficult to predict, although in many cases glide cracks open prior to release.
Cornices
A wave-like formation of soft or hard wind drifted snow, often overhanging.