Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 1–1.5
Much of the alpine environment has already been stripped or sculpted into hard slick surfaces. Areas with loose surface snow are becoming extremely limited and are more likely to be found near and below treeline. With relatively low wind speeds expected today, new slab development will be very unlikely. However, lingering wind slabs may still be possible to find at all elevations. Be suspect of terrain features that encourage drifting such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions, and be aware that even a small otherwise inconsequential avalanche could lead to a bad fall in exposed or committing terrain. Blowing snow, fresh drifting, stiff hollow feeling upside-down snow, and freshly textured, uneven snow surfaces are all signs of recent wind transport. Use these signs to identify and avoid steep slopes with recent wind deposits.