Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–1.5
If you find signs of instability like cracks shooting through the snow or wind drifts that break easily with the weight of a person, stay off of leeward slopes over 35 degrees. Look for visual clues like sharp wind drifts and stiffer snow surfaces. Steer around fresh drifts and stick to lower-angle or wind-sheltered slopes.
On Friday, a warm and windy storm brought a few inches of snow the Cascade crest with strong westerly winds. Snow and wind will taper off by Saturday morning. In areas nearest the crest like the Salmon la Sac and upper Teanaway drainage expect enough new snow and wind transport for fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes. Aside from due south aspects, you may find reactive conditions, as new snow may be resting on a layer of surface hoar or weak snow surrounding thin crusts.
Example of wind drifting snow at a ridgeline.
Photo: Matt Primomo