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 3 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You're most likely to trigger a persistent slab avalanche near and above treeline where you find stiffer cohesive slabs on the surface that rest on top of faceted weak layers beneath. Avoid steep slopes, where you find supportable, stiff slabs on the surface, as there's a good chance these slabs sit on top of weak faceted snow.  Obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks or loud audible collapses may or may not be present, so take the time to dig a quick pit to assess if this strong over weak snowpack structure exists. Any avalanche triggered could break widely across the slope and terrain features, taking with it most of the season's snowpack. 

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Overall, the snowpack continues to remain shallow (2 to 3 feet) and weak, with depth hoar and facets near the ground.  Close to a foot of snow and strong winds earlier in the week have created stiffer cohesive slabs on the surface near and above the treeline that rest on top of these persistent weak layers.   As we push further away from the last significant loading event, obvious signs of instability may not be present, and triggering an avalanche has become more stubborn but not impossible. Take the time to dig a quick pit before committing to a slope to see if this strong over weak snowpack structure exists. Any avalanche triggered could be large enough to injure or bury you, and most likely will take with it most of the season's snowpack. 

Avalanche Discussion

The moderate to strong Northwest winds from earlier in the week have drifted snow at upper elevations into stiffer slabs on the surface, especially on southerly and east-facing aspects.  Southerly aspects before this latest storm were mainly melted back to the bare ground, but easterly-facing slopes have seen the greatest amount of loading and have weak faceted snow beneath these cohesive slabs.  If the snow feels supportive underfoot, there's a good chance you've found a slab and more than likely will have weak faceted snow beneath that. These slopes will also look the most enticing to ski or ride.

It sounds like a broken record at this point, but the snowpack continues to remain relatively shallow (2 to 3-foot snowpack depths), comprising of weak faceted (sugary-like) snow throughout.  Below treeline and wind-sheltered areas near treeline the snowpack generally lacks a cohesive slab, which is a key ingredient needed for a slab avalanche. This doesn't pose much of a problem now, except for some loose snow sluffs in steep terrain, but will become concerning once we introduce more cohesive slabs on top with future storms.  Travel at these lower elevations has gotten easier, but there are still lots of ground hazards present just below the snow surface. 

Unfortunately, long-term models are not overly optimistic about significant snow any time soon for us here in northern NM. Another period of prolonged high pressure will continue to see our shallow snowpack continue to weaken and facet as we wait for more snow. This will help ease avalanche concerns in the short term but will become problematic once we do see significant snow later on this season. 

 

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