Lawinenlagebericht

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
Auf der Karte ansehen

Lawinengefahr

Mon
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
2 · Mässig
Open full map
Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 6 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Triggering a persistent slab avalanche remains possible on West through Southeast-facing terrain at all elevations.  2 to 4 - foot slabs rest on top of weak faceted snow leading to this strong over weak snowpack structure. Strong winds continue to stiffen the surface into hard slabs that can oftentimes break in unpredictable ways and propagate wide distances. Any avalanche triggered would be large enough to bury, injure or kill you.  Evaluate snow and terrain carefully.  Avoiding being on or connected to slopes steeper than 35 degrees as avalanches may run long distances.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    2–3

    2 to 4 - foot slabs from the end of January snowstorms rest on top of several faceted weak layers and depth hoar near the ground.  Although it's been a week since the last significant loading event, strong west winds have been creating stiffer slabs on the surface and are slowly loading slopes that hang delicately in the balance. A couple of recent natural avalanches near and above treeline speaks to how fragile the deeper faceted weak layers continue to be.  These were large to very large avalanches and would've been unsurvivable. Below treeline, these persistent slab avalanches may be smaller but could have serious consequences if they take you over a cliff or bury you in a terrain trap.  

    Obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks and loud audible collapses may not be present in travels. Taking the time to dig down deeper into the snowpack is the only way to assess whether this strong over weak snowpack structure exists. To stay safe, avoid being on or connected to slopes steeper than 35 degrees as you may be able to trigger an avalanche from below and these avalanches may run long distances.  

    Large natural avalanche on a cross-loaded west gully near treeline. The avalanche failed on facets 2 to 5 feet down in the snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

The onslaught of strong westerly winds continues over our mountains creating stiffening slabs on the surface mainly above treeline.  There isn't much snow available for transport currently, with the last snow coming early Thursday with only 1 to 2 inches, but we have had a couple of large natural avalanches over the last 48 hours to suggest that some loading is going on.  One of these naturals was on an East aspect above treeline while the other was on a cross-loaded west aspect near treeline.  Both of these avalanches failed on deeper facets, propagating 200 to 300 feet and in the case of the west-facing avalanche, would've been unsurvivable as it ran on the ground taking the entire season's snowpack with it running well into the trees below. 

It's a scary snowpack right now and one that should not be trusted. The faceted weak layers deeper down in the snowpack are going to need a lot more time before we stop being concerned about them.  Consider every slope to be suspect until proven otherwise. This strong over weak snowpack structure is very concerning, and recent avalanche activity continues to point to reactive weak layers that are struggling to handle even a little bit of loading. Avalanche terrain on the leeward sides of ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain features should be given extra wide berths as these are the slopes that have the potential to run naturally.  It's this lower likelihood high consequence conditions that can be so hard to navigate.  Immediate feedback like shooting cracks and audible collapses may not be present in travels and lure you into steeper terrain. It may just take hitting a "sweet spot" where the slab is thinner to get a weak layer to fail that could release an unmanageable avalanche. 

With warm temperatures today loose wet snow avalanches below treeline may become a concern.  If you are traveling in this lower elevation terrain and notice rollerballs, pinwheels or snow becoming wet, you may want to head to a shadier aspect.  These avalanches would be small but could sweep you off your feet and drag you down the slope.

Continue to stay vigilant and not let your guard down. Pay attention to changing of the snow surface, as harder slabs can break in unpredictable ways, oftentimes failing well above you. Travel conservatively and cautiously in and around avalanche terrain and continue to use good travel techniques thinking about your islands of safety.  If you don't like what you find in your assessment you can always stick to low angle wind-sheltered terrain which is safer and also where the better skiing and riding is currently. 

Abgedeckte Regionen