New avalanche center in northern New Mexico forms

TAOS, N.M. (AP) — A new avalanche center in northern New Mexico hopes to aid the state with avalanche warnings in the region. KOB-TV in Albuquerque reports (https://goo.gl/oxFpNR ) the new Taos Avalanche Center is joining forces with the U.S. Forest Service and National Weather Service to issue avalanche warnings in the state for the first time. Shawn Bennett, the National Weather Service Meteorologist-in-Charge in Albuquerque, says it's a much-needed collaborative effort. When storms drop layers of heavy snow, officials say it can eventually become unstable like a house of cards. Some avalanches can be triggered by skiers in high-risk areas. Avalanches cause around 30 deaths per winter.