Lawinenlagebericht

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Tue
Hochgebirge
3 · Erheblich
Waldgrenze
3 · Erheblich
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
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Kernpunkte

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today and human-triggered avalanches are likely. Two feet of new snow has fallen since Dec 11 onto a weak faceted snowpack creating sensative Storm Slabs and a concern for Persistent Slab avalanches. Look for signs of unstable snow such as recent avalanche activity, shooting cracks, and audible whumpfs. The concern for natural avalanches isn't over yet. Winds will increase today and continue to deposit snow onto the leeward sides of ridges and gullies. Avoid traveling in and around areas where wind loading is observed. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Since Dec 11 we've added about 2ft of new snow and 2" of water onto buried weak layers in our snowpack. Persistent Slab avalanches will be Large and capable of running long distances - know where avalanche terrain exists around you and avoid hanging out or traveling in places that would be threatened if one of these avalanches were to release above you. Just because you yourself are not in avalanche terrain doesn't mean that the area that you're in isn't exposed. 

    A natrual persistent slab avalanche that failed on basal facets from Dec 11.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Storm Slabs today could be up to 2+ft in depth. This avalanche problem will exist at all aspects and elevations. These avalanches have shown the ability to be remotely triggered from a distance. Pay attention to where the wind is effecting the snow and look for signs of unstable snow such as shooting cracks and audible collapses - avoid terrain traps and slopes approaching 35 degrees. Storm Slab avalanches have the ability to step down into deeper weak layers creating a more destructive Persistent Slab avalanche. 

     

     

     

     

    A natural storm slab avalanche observed below tree line on Dec 13.

Avalanche Discussion

We received 2ft of new snow and 2" of water from Dec 11-13. It will take some time for our snowpack to adjust to such a large loading event. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making will be essential in the coming days. 

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occured during the evening of Dec 12. We found evidence of this event at all elevations and aspects except for directly South facing terrain. The majority of natural activity occured on North through East facing terrain near and above tree line. Evidence of this cycle was actually pretty tricky to spot. Peak instability likely occurred fairly early during the storm on Dec 12 which meant we picked up enough snow after the majority of the natural activity occured to fill in crown lines and avalanche debris. Unable to really get close enough to this terrain due to the avalanche danger we're not entirely sure if these avalanches were failing within the new snow or on buried facet layers. Probably a healthy mixture of both. On Dec 11 we did observe two natural Persistent Slab avalanches that failed on facets just above the ground.

Storm slabs may be up to 2ft in depth and could be capable of burying a skier or rider. On our travels yesterday we experienced numerous whumpfs and collapses even below treeline. I would avoid slopes approaching 35 degrees in steepness. 

 We are forecast to have Strong Southwest winds today. The potential for natural avalanches is still possible. The most susceptible areas will be the ones where you observe the wind actively loading terrain. Be mindful of the terrain you are traveling underneath. Any avalanche today has the potential to break into deeper weak layers creating a larger avalanche.

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