Northern New Mexico

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist near and above treeline where new snow and moderate to strong SW/W winds continue to load slopes and are creating stiffening wind slabs. This new snow will continue to add to the 2 to 4-foot slabs that have been stressing the faceted persistent weak layers in the snowpack. Below treeline, persistent slab avalanches will be smaller but can be just as dangerous if they sweep you over a cliff or into a terrain trap. You may be able to remotely trigger an avalanche from a long-distance away.  Avoid being on or connected to slopes steeper than 35 degrees as any avalanche triggered may run long distances and be able to injure or bury you. Pay attention to loud audible collapses and shooting cracks as these are indications of unstable snow. 

We picked up 4 to 6 inches of snow overnight and about .5" of snow water equivalent (SWE) with moderate to strong SW/W winds.  Moderate west winds today should easily transport the new snow into stiffening wind slabs that may be sensitive.  The snowpack is not getting much rest over the last week and with continued snow and winds, the persistent weak layers in the snowpack will continue to be stressed as it struggles to adjust to the added weight.  

Many natural avalanches occurred Tuesday during the final day of the four-day weather event where we picked up 2 to 3 feet of storm snow and over 2" of water. We have seen more recent natural avalanches over the last several days, especially on North through East aspects near and above treeline, where wind loading continues to stress deeper weak layers. Natural avalanches are not out of the question today, especially on North through East aspects that have seen the most amount of loading over the last 24 hours.  These avalanches have been large, propagating wide distances and failing or stepping down to facets beneath hard slabs close to the ground.  These thicker hard slabs were able to hold more weight and may have just needed that little extra load to tip the scales.  Give large avalanche paths wide berths as we've seen avalanches running long distances well into the flats.

We continue to get widespread collapsing and shooting cracks at all elevations in our travels and I expect that trend to continue today.  Below and Near treeline on slopes that don't have harder slabs or crusts that formed prior to this last storm,  settling storm slabs rest on top of fragile weak facets and depth hoar all the way to the ground.  The weight of these slabs is enough on its own to stress the weak facets below. Once we hop on a slope were getting the slope to easily collapse.  We are seeing that shooting cracks at these elevations are not propagating as far as they were at the end of the storm on Tuesday.  Although we've dropped the avalanche danger down to Moderate at this elevation band, triggering a persistent slab avalanche is still possible especially in steep more open terrain. An avalanche triggered below treeline will most likely fail on facets or depth hoar on or near the ground making for a nasty ride if caught.

It's not all bad news, with another active weather week and potentially deepening snowpack, the weak facets that have plagued us this season should start to heal and gain strength. As with everything right now, it's just going to take time. If you are getting out continue to stay vigilant and not let your guard down in the search of powder.  Continue to practice good travel techniques, giving big avalanche paths wide berths and always thinking about the consequences if you were to trigger an avalanche.  Even a small avalanche can have serious implications if it sweeps you over a cliff or into a terrain trap.  Sticking to low angle wind-sheltered terrain without steep slopes above you is a great way to stay safe and enjoy the powder.