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  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  3

  Steep, rocky terrain should still be avoided in the mid to upper elevations on northwest to east facing slopes. The additional wind loading will add stress to the poor structure and it is possible that skiers, snowmobiles, and cornice-fall, etc, in the right spot may trigger a devastating avalanche. Trent and Dave Coyne demonstrated this in their avalanche class yesterday in the Central Wasatch (observation) - you'll see in their videos. Snow tests like these are great because they allow anyone to easily see the strong-over-weak snow structure while approximating an avalanche so we might extrapolate findings to larger slopes.

  Danger Trend: Steady to Increasing

  When will this layer go away?

  Info about this layer and where it exists

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  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Likely

  Größe

  2

  Thicker and more widespread. The southwest winds will continue to scour and erode any available snow and deposit it in the form of a checkerboard of soft and hard wind drifts in the mid and upper elevations, even in odd and unusual locations. At least two parties yesterday - including a party on Timpanogos - noted the wind drifting, experienced the cracking of wind slab...and altered their plans.

  In some areas, these drifts may land on weak snow surfaces formed over the past week and may be surprisingly sensitive. These areas are more likely sun and wind sheltered terrain where the weak snow surfaces are not as susceptible to decay. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some are triggered at a distance today or tomorrow.

  Drifts are often smooth, scalloped, and rounded (see Tom Diegel's excellent photo below of texture and cracking) and are often formed to the lee of terrain features such as ridgelines, sub-ridges, and rocky outcroppings. Soft wind slabs you're "in the snow" with your sled or skis; hard wind slabs you're "on top of the snow". Hard slabs are often trickier because they allow you to get well on to them before the collapse where the wind pillow/teardrop lens shape tapers down.

  Danger Trend: Increasing

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  Loose Wet

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze

  Wahrscheinlichkeit

  Possible

  Größe

  1

  I have to be honest. I am not sure what to make of these temperatures. Shady and sheltered snow surfaces have had a poor-at-best refreeze and may become wet and unstable. There'll be no secrets, though - you'll see if the snow surfaces are deteriorating (rollerballs, sluffing) and make decisions accordingly. Avoid being in and above terrain traps where the snow may pile up more deeply.