Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Very Likely
- Größe
- 1–2
Yesterday, Ben remotely triggered a large avalanche from a safe ridgeline in the Boulders. The avalanche was about 250' wide and released on weak snow near the ground (video at right/below). With continued snowfall today, 36-hr storm totals will reach 1-2' by nightfall. Strong to extreme S and SW built fresh, sensitive wind slabs in exposed terrain. Given the intensity of the wind, anticipate these slabs on any open slope, including the mouths of main drainages and roadways that typically funnel wind.
While dangerous on their own, these fresh slabs are likely to release on the persistent weak layers described below. Cornices will be sensitive and may calve off to release slabs on the slopes below. Drifts, dunes, rippled snow surfaces, and chalky snow pillows are clues that the wind has been at work.