Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 2
People could trigger 1 to 2 foot thick slab avalanches of wind drifted snow if they venture onto exposed upper elevation slopes. It is always wise to avoid travel on steep slopes with deposits of wind drifted snow, but today's fresh powder may hide the obvious evidence of drifting.
- Wind slabs often form on the lee side of exposed ridges and in and around terrain features. Watch for and avoid drifts on gully walls, under cliff bands, along sub-ridges, in scoops, saddles, and sinks.
- Drifted snow is stiffer and more compacted than non-drifted snow.
- Freshly formed wind slabs can be quite sensitive and are often remotely triggered.
- Shooting cracks in drifted snow are a sure sign of instability.