Bollettino valanghe

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Sat
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
3 · Marcato
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In sintesi

Dangerous avalanche conditions continue to exist at all elevations from several avalanche problems today.  The most obvious problems will be on the surface from storm slabs with the recent snow and loose wet snow avalanches on solar aspects from warming temperatures during the day and the intense sun this time of year.  An avalanche that breaks closer to the surface can be dangerous on its own and big enough to injure or bury you. 

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. Careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route-finding are essential today.

 

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    2–2.5

    Heavy snowfall and winds have loaded slopes over the last several days with close to 3" of snow water equivalent.  This significant loading event will continue to stress facets and depth hoar that continues to linger near the ground on many slopes that had a shallow snowpack prior to this last snowfall. These persistent slab avalanches are possible at all elevations and could be large and big enough to bury you as they run long distances well into the flats.  as it takes with it most of the season's snowpack and is able to propagate widely across the slopes and terrain features. You can trigger one of the avalanches from a distance away or the flats below.  Pay attention to obvious signs of instability like loud audible collapses and shooting cracks. 

  • Storm Slabs

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

    Over three feet of snow and winds during the storm over the last several days have created storm slabs at all elevations.  Yesterday some of these storm slabs were releasing in the top 10 to 15 cm on density changes, while others were failing on the old snow interface which consisted of slick crusts and near-surface facets that formed prior to the storm.  Last night winds picked up out of the NE, and most likely drifted snow in a typical spots at upper elevations. Pay attention to snow stiffening on the surface and obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks. The most dangerous slopes will be at upper elevations on the leeward sides of ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain features. These storm slabs will be dangerous on their own however,  there is a possibility that storm slabs on the surface are going to step down into deeper weak layers creating a larger and more destructive avalanche. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    With warming temperatures, a higher sun angle, and intense sun at our southerly latitude this time of year expect to see loose wet and dry snow avalanches on steep solar aspects at all elevations. These types of avalanches start off as small point releases typically in the sun-bathed rock bands and can quickly fan out entraining more snow as it travels down the slope.  Watch for signs of the snow surface becoming wet like pinwheels and roller balls.  These types of avalanches are typically small but could entrain enough snow to take you off your feet and take you for a ride as it slides down the slope. 

Avalanche Discussion

The Valentine's day storms from Monday evening through Wednesday brought 39" of snow and 2.95" of snow water equivalent (SWE) to the northern mountains here in NM.  It's another cold start to the morning but temperatures will rise quickly today under sunny skies and light winds.  Last night moderate winds were out of the NE but will be light today out of the SW.  

These storms came in right side up, with the first storm coming in warmer and denser than the second system Wednesday which was low-density blower powder. Areas, where we were seeing the most sensitivity of storm slabs, were below ridgelines, open exposed slopes and cross-loaded terrain features like gullies. Yesterday, the snowpack was already feeling the effects of the sun on solar aspects even with cold temperatures during the day as snow was becoming gloppy. With rapidly warming temperatures today and clear skies, loose snow avalanches will become more of a concern today. Glob Stopper is never a bad idea to throw into your pack when we have conditions like these.   

In travels below and near treeline, we were getting loud rumbling collapses on many slopes. Prior to this last round of snow, we saw three weeks of mainly high pressure with only small storms bringing minimal snow.  Cold temperatures and a still relatively shallow snowpack on many slopes didn't allow facets and depth hoar near the ground to heal and strengthen.   This was especially present, below treeline where some northerly slopes consisted of facets throughout the snowpack. There was a close call on Wednesday from a large human-triggered avalanche below treeline releasing on the ground. These weak layers have been stressed from this latest round of significant loading and are going to need time to adjust. 

With sunny skies and lots of powder, the stoke level is going to be high to get out and ride some powder.  With deep conditions like we have, it will typically force you into steeper terrain just to make some turns as you bog down in lower-angle terrain.  Try to fight this temptation, taking a step back and sticking to terrain less than 30 degrees until the snowpack has time to adjust to this recent round of loading.  

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