Professional Observation
Basic Information
Observation Details
Observation Date:
January 23, 2021Submitted:
January 23, 2021Observer:
TAC - Andy BondZone or Region:
Taos AreaLocation:
Thundering Collapses and AvalanchesSigns of Unstable Snow
Recent Avalanches?
YesCracking?
WidespreadCollapsing?
WidespreadSnow Stability
Stability Rating:
PoorConfidence in Rating:
HighStability Trend:
WorseningBottom Line
Conditions are getting touchy with the new wind-driven snow. Even though not a big load of new snow, the fragile weak layers we have in the snowpack are struggling to adjust to the added load.
Media
Advanced Information
Weather Summary
Cloud Cover:
ObscuredTemperature:
15 - 25Wind:
Moderate , WHard to really know how much new snow there is due to the winds but the snow did pick up around 11 AM with lots of graupel. West/SW winds were blowing in the 20's and gusting in the 40 mph range easily transporting snow at all elevations.
Snowpack Observations
Went for a walk to see how reactive the snowpack is with the additional load and wind. Moderate to strong west winds were impacting all elevations. Not a ton of snow below treeline but slabs near and above treeline were building quickly. Early this morning avalanche mitigation control teams were triggering 20 to 30 cm wind slabs just below the leeward side of ridgelines.
There is a big difference in snow totals from below treeline to near and above treeline with only 3 to 4 inches below 11,000' and slabs upwards of a foot near and above treeline. I was getting widespread collapsing and cracking near and above treeline with propagation running upwards of 200'. I triggered several avalanches remotely.
The take-home point is that newly formed 4F to 1F hard slabs upwards of 1' thick are now resting on top of very weak faceted weak layers.
Avalanche Problems
| Problem | Location | Distribution | Sensitivity | Size | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Persistent Slab
|
|
Slabs are starting to build below treeline on top of very weak faceted snow. Conditions were quite touchy with propagation over 200' and remotely triggering avalanches near and above treeline. |
Terrain Use
Hard to step out into steep terrain with widespread thunderous collapses and shooting cracks running over 200'. Kept it very mellow!
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