Bollettino valanghe

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
2 · Moderato
Limite del bosco
2 · Moderato
Sotto il limite
2 · Moderato
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In sintesi

The avalanche danger will rise to moderate today as warm temperatures and the intense sun this time of year will quickly make the snow surface wet.  Loose wet snow avalanches are possible today below treeline and on East, South, and West aspects. Pay attention to slopes that are in the direct sunlight and where you start to punch in past your boot tops in wet snow.   Faceted weak layers around crusts higher up in the snowpack and depth hoar near the ground in shallow snowpacks continue to linger.  Although unlikely to trigger if you found the right slab/weak layer combination you could release a larger persistent slab avalanche.  

Problemi valanghivi

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Warm temperatures and the intense sun this time of year will quickly make the snow surface wet.  Like clockwork, as the sun rises east-facing slopes will heat up first, transitioning to the south and finally west aspects.  North facing slopes below treeline should also feel the impacts of warm temperatures today.  Watch out for wet manky snow that is above your boot-top or slopes that are directly in the sun as these are indications that the snow surface is becoming wet and the concern for wet snow avalanches is increasing. Loose wet snow avalanches typically start a small point release in steeper terrain underneath rocks that can quickly fan out entraining more snow making it difficult to get out of the way.  If you notice the snow getting wet, either head to a shadier aspect or it may be time to call it a day.

     

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Unlikely
    Dimensione
    1–2

    Shallow snowpacks with less than 150 cm still have large grain weak faceted snow and depth hoar near the ground. There is a remote chance that you could find the right slab/weak layer combination to release one of these bigger persistent slab avalanches.    A ski or probe pole is another useful tool to quickly measure snowpack depths.  Avoid likely trigger points on steep slopes on the margins of the slab and near rock outcrops. Always think about the consequences if you were to trigger one of these larger persistent slab avalanches.   

Avalanche Discussion

If you're a fan of spring skiing and riding, you're going to love the next several days as near record-setting warm temperatures move into our region over the weekend.  Over the last several days we've been in a melt-freeze cycle with temperatures slowly climbing each day.  Last night's freezes just barely dipped below freezing with temperatures in the high 20's and low 30's and it won't take much time for warm temperatures to quickly climb today.  With warm temperatures in the forecast through the weekend and not getting good refreezes at night, wet slab avalanches may become more of a concern in the coming days as we start to push 48 to 72 hours above freezing or without a solid refreeze.  It's that time of year where it's never a bad idea to get an early start to avoid the heat in the middle of the day. 

Above treeline on northerly aspects, you may encounter isolated pockets of wind drifted snow. Look for smooth wind drifted snow and paying attention to clues like shooting cracks on the surface.  These wind slabs are small and shallow, but in consequential terrain, they may be big enough to knock you off your feet, taking you for a ride over a cliff. 

Be aware of overhanging cornices that are warming up and softening and may release naturally. These natural cornice drops can be a big trigger on the slope below, able to impact deeper weak layers, creating a larger more destructive avalanche.  

 

 

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