Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
Human-triggered avalanches may remain possible today, especially in areas where wind-blown snow has piled up near ridges, on open slopes, and in gullies. Clues like cornices above a slope, wind-textured snow surfaces, and areas of wind-drifted snow can help identify where wind slabs might exist. Recent avalanches and shooting cracks represent clear signs that wind slabs remain unstable. If you feel deeper and slightly stiffer snow in an area, you may be moving into a wind-loaded zone. Look out for these areas and use travel plans that avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes and focus on sheltered terrain to reduce your exposure to wind-slab avalanches. The areas sheltered from the wind may also hold more consistent soft snow.
The storm started to taper off last night, giving the storm snow a chance to start bonding to itself and the snow below it. Still, this could take some time, especially in places where stiffer, deeper deposits of new snow exist. like in wind-loaded areas. Wind slab avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person remain possible today. If the April sun comes out today, warming from the sun could make it easier to trigger a wind slab avalanche as well.
(4/12/2026)
D2 storm slab in a wind-loaded area triggered by a ski kick on the ridge above the slope. The storm slab failed on a weakness in the storm snow about 8 to 12 inches below the surface.
Andesite Peak, Donner Summit
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center