New Zealand · 13.10.2026

Fiordland

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

Valid until 14.10.2026 14:45

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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
NortheastEastSoutheastSouthSouthwestWestNorthwestNorth

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Stability

8th -12th October - freezing levels have been above 2000m for several days with only a small amount of cooling at night. There has been widespread visible melt. 7-October Rain and freezing levels back up to around 2500m. Expect a wet melting snowpack 6 October - Most snow in Fiordland will be frozen after 2 days of the freezing level being close to the snowline and strong winds. 2nd October- up to about 50mm rain on the snowpack below 2200m. Almost all of the Fiordland snowpack is now going through a melt and freeze cycle. 28th Sept- Snow down to around 1400m, rain below that. Expect continued slab at high elevations and some loose snow activity at the mid elevations. 27th Sept - Snow down to around 400m with strong SW winds. 25th Sept- Snow down to about 1900m, rain below that. 22nd - About 5cm of snow down to 1100m, and strong W wind 21st Sept - About 50mm of rain 2100/2200m and below, most fell in 4 - 5 hours.

Snow quality

Fri 2nd October- public observation from Homer area, widespread natural activity in warm rain. Freezing level was about 2300m Mon 28th Sept - Some evidence of activity over the storm on Mon 27th. Pompolona ran to almost valley floor, sz 3-4 probably. Freezing level was about 2000m

Weather

Tuesday - Heavy rain in the morning and afternoon, and snow to 2200 metres, otherwise mostly cloudy with isolated showers.Wind at 1000 metres - Northwesterly gale 75 km/h, easing to westerly 30 km/h in the afternoon.Wind at 2000 metres - Northwesterly severe gale 95 km/h, easing to westerly 50 km/h in the afternoon.Freezing level - Above 3000 metres, lowering to 2400 metres 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.