Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 1–2.5
With strong to extreme winds in the forecast, the wind slab problem can take on a new form of complexity. By that I mean it will be more difficult to predict where wind slabs form. Often times with these high wind speeds, the blowing snow blasts into the sky and does not deposit in the normal places we usually expect wind slabs to build. Wind slabs may form below ridges and peaks and/or farther down slope than usual. There will likely be some cross loading as wind moves snow across terrain and whole mountain sides. On isolated terrain features wind slabs have the chance to produce larger avalanches than we are accustomed to with our typical storms.
Although less likely, this is the time to watch for wind slabs building in clearings below treeline or in forested terrain where the trees are widely spaced. Wind slabs below treeline will be patchy, isolated, and on the smaller side but will be something to watch for. Also remember there can be lee terrain on the windward side of a mountain.
The wind slab problem will build throughout the day. Monitor the depth of wind transported snow. As wind deposits become deeper, wind slab avalanches can become larger.
