Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 1–2
Strong winds and consistent snowfall throughout the day will create fresh wind slabs in exposed terrain today. Shooting cracks are a clear sign you've found reactive wind slabs and should look for softer snow in more protected terrain. Look for smooth, rounded pillows, dunes or rippled surfaces and listen for hollow drum-like sounds under foot or machine. You're most likely to find these slabs of cohesive snow near ridgelines and in cross-loaded areas on the sides of gullies. Steering clear of these prominent wind features will significantly reduce your odds of triggering a slide.
If the storm delivers more than 6 inches of snow by the end of the day, you may also find storm slabs in sheltered terrain. Shooting cracks and "upside down" or top-heavy feeling snow are indications that soft reactive slabs are forming. You can stack the odds in your favor by seeking out lower angle terrain and avoiding traveling above terrain traps such as trees, cliffs, or gullies at the bottom of steeper slopes.
(1/2/2026)
A wind slab avalanche triggered while stomping from low angle terrain above. 9500' NE facing slope near Butterfield.