Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Unlikely
- Größe
- 1–1.5
NE winds are increasing speed this morning following last night's cold front passage. Ridgetop gusts of 60+ mph today and 100+ mph this evening are expected to scour, lift, and drift any snow on the ground that remains available for transport.
Expect to encounter some amount of blowing and drifting snow today, especially near ridgetops. Look for the places where drifting snow is filling in and forming shallow slabs in downwind areas. These are the locations where isolated instability could exist today. Snow surface cracking is a sign of unstable wind slab in the immediate area.
Any avalanches that are triggered today by backcountry travelers are expected to be small, with much of the consequences coming from being carried into or over down slope hazards such as rocks, trees, or cliffs.
(1/10/2025)
The mix of exposed rain crust (ice) and shallow wind slab that exists in many locations across the forecast area. This terrain is located between Carson Pass and Ebbetts Pass, CA.
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center