Bollettino valanghe

Northern New Mexico

Taos Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

Alta quota
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Limite del bosco
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Sotto il limite
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In sintesi

On northerly slopes near and above treeline is where you're most likely to find weak layers buried 2 to 4 feet down with dense slabs on top.  It's on these northerly slopes that you can trigger a large dry persistent slab avalanche.  Avoiding slopes over 35 degrees on northerly aspects will help you manage this persistent slab problem.  Overnight temperatures remained above freezing below 11,000'. With warm temperatures expected today, wet loose snow avalanches and wet slab avalanches will become a concern by mid-day.  Avoid slopes where you punch in past your boot tops and watch for rollerballs and pinwheels in steep terrain as these are indications that the snow surface is becoming wet.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    Buried faceted weak layers that are 2 to 4 feet down that formed during January/February dry period continue to linger on northerly aspects near and above treeline.  Persistent slab avalanches can break widely across terrain features and may be large enough to injure or bury you. It may not be the first or second person on a slope to trigger an avalanche but may take just hitting that "sweet spot".    Avoid likely trigger points on the margins of the slab and near rock outcroppings as these are the more likely places for you to impact deeper weak layers. If you planning on digging a pit to assess if this poor snowpack structure exists, it will be found beneath an obvious dust layer that formed earlier in the season.

  • Loose Wet

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

    It'll be another warm day with temperatures climbing into the upper 40's under partly cloudy skies.  Without a solid refreeze last night, it won't take long for small loose wet snow avalanches to become a concern on steep slopes. These types of avalanches typically start near rock bands as a point release and can fan out entraining more snow as it travels down the slope.  Pinwheels and rollerballs are indications that the snow surface is becoming wet and losing cohesion.   Getting an early start is not a bad idea to get off of steep slopes by the afternoon before they become wet and problematic. If you do encounter wet manky snow, head to a shadier aspect or think about calling it a day.

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Overnight temperatures remained above freezing, with temperatures today expected to warm into the upper 40's.  This problem will most likely be found at below treeline terrain on west through north and east aspects as free water continues to drive deeper down into the snowpack and can make weak layers wet and collapsible or water can pool on crusts.  Avoid steep slopes where you find yourself punching into the snow over your boot top.  These types of avalanches have the potential to gouge deeper down into the snowpack creating a larger more destructive avalanche that is difficult to get out of.   

Avalanche Discussion

Today will be the last regular forecast of the season with a general spring avalanche statement that will go out tomorrow.  Thanks for a great season and we look forward to being back next winter!

Overnight temperatures are above freezing at11,000' and below with west winds in the 20 to 25 mph range gusting in the 30's.  Today will be partly cloudy with a chance of rain/snow shower this afternoon as we may also see a thunderstorm.  Tonight will be mostly cloudy with the chance of a snow shower.  Yesterday got warm with temperatures climbing into the 40 and 50's under sunny skies.

A series of storms since Tuesday dropped 11 - 15 inches of snow with about 1.5 - 1.7" of SWE, which has included lots of graupel and windy conditions. Graupel once buried can act like ball bearings providing a good weak layer for a slab on top.  Graupel also tends to pool on gentler terrain and underneath cliffs. At upper elevations, you may find an isolated pocket of wind slab that will most likely be found on the leeward sides of ridgelines and cross-loaded terrain features.  Avoid steep slopes where you find obvious wind drifted pillows or a stiffening of the snow surface.  Shooting cracks off your boards are indications you've found unstable snow. 

 

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