Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
Wind slab avalanches will be possible on Sunday, with the danger increasing as more snow accumulates later in the day. Avalanche danger will be greatest on lee slopes at upper elevations (in the alpine), where more snow is possible and there is more open terrain to catch wind-blown snow. Up to 8 inches of new snow is possible around the highest peaks, which means wind slabs could form as deep as 2-3'.
At mid-elevations, less snow is expected, and therefore wind slab avalanches are less likely, or they'll be smaller. If you're near or above treeline, monitor the depth of new snow and newly formed wind drifts. Assess any wind-loaded slopes carefully before dropping in. Look for cracking under your feet and a rippled texture on the snow surface as indications of a wind slab. You could also dig a small pit or use a hand pit to evaluate how well the new snow is cohering to the older snow underneath. Avoiding lee slopes that are steeper than 30 degrees is another way to avoid this avalanche problem.
At lower elevations, avalanches are unlikley; however, the snowpack coverage is thin and irregular, and even a small amount of new snow could cover obstacles like rocks and stumps.