Backcountry Avalanche Forecast from the Taos Avalanche Center.
 

Taos Avalanche Center


Backcountry Avalanche Forecast

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Issued

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - 7:12AM

Author

Andy Bond
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Northern New Mexico

Avalanche Danger

AVALANCHE WARNING IN EFFECT


Bottom Line

Heavy snowfall and strong winds today will create dangerous avalanche conditions at all elevations. Storm slab avalanches could break on the old snow/new snow interface and be several feet deep and able to break widely across the slope or step down into deeper weak layers in the snowpack.  Persistent slab avalanches remain possible on weak layers near the ground or in the middle of the snowpack.  Avoid being on or connected to slopes steeper than 30 degrees, paying attention to obvious signs of instability like shooting cracks and loud audible collapses.  Avoid slopes that are actively loading.

 

Today's Avalanche Danger

Avalanche Danger Scale

Full Forecast ➝

Mountain Weather

Flow aloft will strengthen through Wednesday as a potent upper-level low offshore of central CA moves inland and opens up as it moves into the Great Basin and desert SW. Today will be warmer than yesterday with snow levels hovering around 9500'.  Westerly winds overnight have been in the teens and 20's with gusts hitting 60 mph. Snow will really start to ramp up around mid-day and continue through the night into Wednesday.  West winds will continue to remain strong through the evening and shift to the SW tonight.  Winds will ramp up some Wednesday as the upper-level low opens up and moves further inland and allowing for more orographically driven snow over the mountains. 

Full Weather Forecast ➝

This information is provided by the Taos Avalanche Center and describes general backcountry avalanche hazard and conditions. It does not apply to ski areas and highways where avalanche mitigation is conducted.


Taos Avalanche Center | PO Box 267 | El Prado, NM 87529