Avalanche forecast

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Strong westerly winds have drifted snow at upper elevations into thicker and denser slabs. These wind slabs will be found on the leeward sides of ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain features.  Avoid obvious wind-drifted pillows and snow that feels firmer underfoot. Sticking to lower-angle wind-sheltered terrain will help you avoid this problem.  

Deeper down in the snowpack, persistent weak layers near the ground continue to linger where the snowpack was shallow prior to this storm. Identifying slopes where this poor snowpack structure exists is going to be impossible without digging down into the snowpack.  Avoid slopes where you get obvious signs of instability like loud thunderous collapses.  These persistent slab avalanches can be large taking with it most of the season's snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Snowfall from the last storm has created slabs over facets and depth hoar that continued to linger in shallow snowpacks that we had prior to this storm. The recent loading has stressed these weak layers near the ground especially below and near treeline. Take the time to dig down into the snowpack to assess if this poor snowpack structure of strong over weak exists. Paying attention to obvious signs of instability like loud audible collapses and shooting cracks. A persistent slab avalanche has the potential to break on or near the ground taking with it most of the season's snowpack and could produce a large avalanche.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Westerly winds have been in the 20 to 30 mph range with gusts in the 50's. over the last 24 hours. These wind slabs will most likely be found below ridgelines on the leeward sides and in cross-loaded terrain features.  Watch for obvious wind-drifted pillows, stiffening snow underfoot and signs of unstable snow like shooting cracks on the surface.  

    Be aware of cornices continuing to build on ridgelines.  These cornices can break further back than expected when traveling on ridgelines as well as create a big trigger on a slope below.   

Avalanche Discussion

Winds, winds and more winds will be the theme over the next several days and through the middle of next week. Westerly winds overnight have been in the 20 - 30 mph range and will continue to remain strong throughout the day.  An upper-level trough will also bring a chance of snow showers today with only a couple of inches forecasted,  Unfortunately, windy weather is expected to stick with us for the next several days and really ramp up Wednesday when we could see a better chance of snow. Wind-sheltered terrain is going to provide better skiing and riding options going forward over the next several days. 

Regions covered