Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
On Sunday, I found some isolated pockets of wind drifted snow that were 12 - 16" thick. That is from just around 4 - 5" of new snow in the last few days. Not all wind deposits were that deep and most were shallow. Due to the variability, it is a good time to monitor the depth of wind slabs. Using your ski pole to probe down to the old snow surface (melt freeze crust). This is a great reference point and allows for easy guaging of slab depth. I am hesitant in keeping this problem up to D2, but after seeing deeper pockets of wind slab on Sunday, I think it is good to keep the potential for isolated large avalanches in mind.
On Sunday I observed cracking in wind slabs on east facing slopes near and above treeline. I also observed a recently triggered wind slab avalanche (rider triggered, small D1, east aspect, near treeline).
With a few inches of snow possible through Monday afternoon combined with moderate winds, wind slabs will continue to build. Look for wind slabs on lee slopes below ridge tops, and around other features that accumulate wind blown snow. Cracking in the wind slab and recent avalanches are good indicators that you can trigger an avalanche.
Always watch for signs of wind blown snow in areas of sparse or dead trees.
(3/24/2024)
Small rider triggered wind slab avalanche on Sunday. East aspect, near treeline. This avalanche was small (D1). The crown was up to 30 cm (12") deep. There were tracks going in and tracks going out.
Photo: Aaron Hartz