Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 1–1.5
A storm is due to arrive at midday and progress through the night. Winds will strengthen from the south and cold temperatures will encroach. There is potential for lots of snow to be transported and slopes to be loaded, especially near and above treeline. However, given the snow totals during the daylight hours, it's unlikely drifts will grow very large or thick. Be cautious of terrain features that encourage drifting such as, leeward sides of ridgelines and moraines, gully features, or cross-loaded depressions. Clues that indicate recent wind deposits are, pillow-like drifts, denser snow over softer snow, and wind effected surfaces.
At the lower and mid-elevations, mostly crusty and variable bed surfaces will receive the new snow. The softer snow observed in the alpine may have formed a surface crust from yesterday’s lengthy amount of solar input and overnight freeze. So, it's fair to say there are many slippery bed surfaces that new snow could fall and slide on. Steer clear of steep slopes with leeward catchment zones and use localized assessments to gather information on nearby similar slopes.
Remain cautious of thin snow coverage near and below treeline, especially in steep areas with rocky runouts.
(1/1/2024)
A wind lip indicating a south to north wind direction
Photo: Eric Falconer