Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
Signs of unstable wind slabs were present yesterday and are expected to continue today. Ridgetop winds shifted from NW to NE late yesterday afternoon and remained plenty strong to blow and drift snow overnight. Unstable snow remains a concern in near treeline and above treeline terrain in places where drifting snow has deposited as a cohesive wind slab across SE-S-SW-W-NW-N aspects.
Identify the slopes where blowing and drifting snow has accumulated and created potentially unstable wind slabs. Slopes near ridgetops as well as cross-loaded gully features have the greatest chance of holding unstable snow today. Exercise caution around areas of smooth looking snow that are surrounded by areas of rough, wind sculpted snow surfaces. Slopes where continued blowing snow is depositing are suspect. Snow surface cracking is a sign of unstable conditions. If in doubt, don't engage with slopes of concern. Wind protected slopes below treeline offer the potential to avoid this avalanche problem.
(2/14/2023)
Snow surface cracking on a wind loaded test slope. A sign of unstable snow. Elephants Hump, Carson Pass, CA.
Photo: SAC