Northern New Mexico

General Spring Avalanche Statement

The 2025-26 operating season has come to a close. Thank you to everyone who has supported the avalanche center; it would not be possible without you. Avalanche activity will continue to happen in the spring season.  Expect wet snow avalanches and instabilities on warm sunny days.  Spring storms can also bring significant snow and winds, leading to storm and wind slab instabilities.  Keep reading for some information and resources that will help with trip planning and decision-making.

We will do an update to the forecast if we have a significant storm or conditions warrant through April 30th, but otherwise, we are done with daily forecasting for the 2025/26 season. 

Below is a brief season history of the weather and some of our bigger storms, as well as general avalanche conditions you may encounter if heading out in the mountains this spring:

The 2025/26 season will be one to forget with historically low snowfall and record-breaking warm temperatures in the month of March. As of April 6th, season snowfall totals are 85 inches of snow with about 10.25" of snow water equivalent (SWE).  The snowpack this year would be categorized as weak (faceted and depth hoar) and shallow, with instabilities developing during and immediately following storms. Some of the biggest persistent avalanches happening after the storms in the middle of February. Warm temperatures and no snow brought some wet snow avalanches, but mainly saw the snowpack melt away in the month of March.

 

The season can be characterized as several prolonged dry periods with a couple of storms interspersed throughout it. 

 

(4/6/2026) The last significant storm of the season came on February 20th with the snowpack peaking on Feb 23rd. The Upper Rio Grande Basin currently sits at the lowest Snow Water Equivalent  on record. Temperatures warmed quickly throughout the end of February and set  multiple records during the middle of March.

  

(4/6/2026) Overall it's been a low snow year across almost all of the west. 

 

We will see spring storms and hopefully get some much-needed moisture with at least some systems appearing to track our way through the middle of April, but the long-range outlook is forecasted to be warmer and drier than normal into June.  We may be shifting to an El Niño weather pattern by the end of June, which will potentially last through the beginning of next winter. 

(4/6/2026) (4/6/2026)

 

If you are getting out in the mountains this spring, here are some avalanche problems to watch out for.  Due to the low snow year, most trailheads are melted out to bare ground with snow only remaining on upper elevation slopes.

Wet Snow Avalanches:

Loose wet snow avalanches will continue to happen this spring on all aspects and at all elevations.  The main driver of this instability will be warm temperatures, the high sun angle, and intense solar radiation during the day.  Once freshly fallen snow rapidly warms, this concern will always be problematic.  Signs of potentially unstable snow may include rollerballs and pinwheels or sinking in past boot tops in wet, manky snow. Loose wet snow avalanches are typically in the upper portions of the snowpack and start beneath steep rock bands that fan out and can entrain more snow as they move down the slope. A great resource that's available is the NWS - Backcountry Weather Forecast to help with planning for the day and what to expect weather-wise. Another tool is the weather station website to check out the early morning air temperatures.  

Wet slab avalanches are also a concern in the spring as free water is able to percolate down to deeper weak layers or pool and lubricate around crusts. Rain events and when we go days without the temperature dropping below freezing are red flags for this type of avalanche problem. Wet slab avalanches can be very destructive and are oftentimes difficult to get out of.  

Wet slab avalanches can be large and destructive  breaking deeper down in the snowpack

Warming cornices can break naturally and further back than expected on ridgelines, Cornice drops can be consequential on their own but can also act as a big trigger on the slopes below, potentially triggering larger avalanches.  Give cornices wide berths and don't linger beneath them.

It's never a bad idea to get early starts and out of avalanche terrain before warming takes hold during the heat of the day.  

 

Wind and Storm Slabs:

Spring weather can change quickly, and so can snow conditions.  Big spring storms can drop several feet of snow with strong winds.  Wind slabs may form on the leeward sides of ridgelines and in cross-loaded terrain. Expect a period of snowpack instability during and immediately following a storm. New snow will typically fall on firm surfaces and may create a good bed surface for new storm snow slabs to run on. During the storm, use clues like blowing snow and drifted pillows to help identify potential areas where wind-drifted slabs may exist. Typical signs of mid-winter instability, like recent avalanches, loud audible collapses, and shooting cracks, are also ways to help identify and avoid avalanche terrain where wind or storm slabs may exist.

 Wind slabs may be more sensitive post-storm with strong solar radiation and rapid warming. 

Wind drifted pillow on the leeward side of the ridgeline above treeline.

Don't let your guard down because it's spring; continue to practice all the backcountry rituals and good travel techniques like you would in the middle of winter.  The observation page will continue to remain up, so if you're getting out, feel free to post an observation.  The Weather Tools page is another resource to use to help with planning and overall weather conditions. Thanks for a great season, and we look forward to being back next winter!