Lawinenlagebericht

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sat
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You can still trigger a large persistent slab avalanche on Northwest through East aspects near and above treeline. A buried layer of near-surface facets within the upper 20-30cms is the most likely layer to trigger an avalanche. However, large-grained 1-2mm facets below a buried hard slab 40-60cms down present the concern for producing large and dangerous avalanches. You can avoid this hazard by choosing lower-angle wind-sheltered terrain.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–2

    Buried near-surface facets beneath wind crusts from last week's wind events will be the easiest and most likely layer to trigger a persistent slab avalanche. Our shallow snowpack has several layers of weak facets sandwiched between decomposing slabs in the mid-pack and near the ground.  There is a good likelihood that a smaller avalanche failing in upper weak layers may step down into these deeper weak layers creating a large destructive avalanche. Pay attention to obvious signs of instability like collapsing and shooting cracks. 

Avalanche Discussion

It's getting more difficult to trigger a persistent slab avalanche. We have two potential failure planes for this avalanche problem. One is a buried layer of near-surface facets located in the upper 20-30cms of the snowpack. You are most likely to still trigger an avalanche on this layer above treeline where the wind has likely had a greater overall effect on the slab properties. Near treeline keep an eye out for slopes especially susceptible to wind for the same reasons. Any of these avalanches have the potential to also fail on a layer of 1-2+mm facets buried beneath a hard slab. This structure generally exists 40-60cms down in our snowpack. Avalanches that either fail or step down to this layer will be large and dangerous.

Below treeline, we have a mostly homogeneous snowpack of faceted snow. In open slopes exposed to the wind, you may find a small pocket of wind drifted snow capable of producing a small avalanche. The more likely hazard would be producing a loose dry avalanche from steep terrain. Be mindful of terrain traps and the consequences of being swept off your feet. Ground hazards, unfortunately, continue to be a real threat at these elevations.  

We are on the doorstep of a fairly active 4 days of unstable weather. None of the systems appear to be large producers but rather, we can expect to slowly accumulate snow over the course of several days. With weaknesses in our snowpack structure and the addition of new snow with strong wind we can expect the avalanche danger to increase. It can be tricky when we slowly accumulate snow to conclude exactly when we might be hitting our tipping point for instability. If you find yourself out skiing or riding during these events you'll have to pay close attention to the conditions. You might find generally stable conditions in the AM but that extra 2 or 3 inches by the PM was all it took to increase avalanche hazard dramatically. Something like that might go unnoticed if you aren't looking for it. Pay attention to what the weather and the snow are telling you. A collapse or whumpf, shooting cracks, precip rates of 1" or more an hour, wind loading, etc. These are all things to pay attention to if you find yourself out during this next week.  

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