Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 1–2
Despite the strong SW winds today, blowing snow should remain limited due to the refrozen and previously scoured snow surfaces that exist in many exposed places. Once it starts snowing this afternoon, the winds will start to pile snow onto slopes near ridges, in gullies, and on open wind-exposed slopes. Any new wind slabs that form today should remain small since only a couple of inches of new snow is expected this afternoon. If more snow falls than expected today, larger wind slabs will become a problem earlier than expected.
As the storm intensifies this evening and tonight, unstable wind slabs will quickly grow in size and extent. The avalanche danger will increase dramatically overnight, and some natural avalanches could occur during the night.
Watch for changing conditions and adjust your plans if the observed conditions don't match expectations today. If you see blowing snow or wind slabs forming, move around those areas cautiously.
(2/10/2024)
An example of blowing snow across the ridgetops. If you see this today, watch out for wind slabs where the blowing snow piles up.
Photo: Travis Feist