Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
Over the past 24 hours, the forecast area has accumulated six to eight inches of new snow and moderate to strong south-southwest wind with gusts exceeding 36 mph near treeline. These strong southerly winds won't be letting up soon, and so, this combination of new snow and persistent wind gives us a wind slab avalanche problem. Both the new and wind-transported snow is accumulating on a slick melt-freeze crust that will be the bed surface for an avalanche. You will be most likely to find this avalanche problem near and above the treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects, Though this doesn't mean that you won't encounter a wind slab in terrain features susceptible to cross loading: the leeward side of tree or rock outcroppings, depressions, near convexities, and in gullies. While it is unlikely that you'll witness any natural avalanches, you could trigger one with your machine or board(s) that would be deep enough to bury a rider. Wind slabs appear as lens-shaped pillows that are deeper than the surrounding snowpack. If you're on a wind slab, it will feel firmer and have a hollow, drum-like sound to it. Finally, if you observe any collapsing or shooting cracks, you have found yourself a wind slab. Keeping your awareness elevated for the aforementioned and traveling one at a time through avalanche terrain will help you mitigate your exposure to risk in the backcountry today.