Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1
SW winds today will make wind slab avalanches possible on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. SW winds have been on the increase since yesterday afternoon and are now in the strong to gale force range early this morning along exposed ridges and peaks. Substantial snow is available for wind transport that is still soft due to the recent cold temperatures. Wind slab avalanches are expected today and could be large enough to bury or injure a backcountry user. Most of these wind slab avalanches should be human triggered, but isolated natural wind slab avalanches cannot be ruled out in the most heavily wind loaded areas.
Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and newly formed wind pillows. Intense snow transport is expected today. Avoid steep wind loaded slopes and areas below large cornices. Better snow quality will be found in protected below treeline terrain away from the wind slab avalanche problem.