Wind Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
Today, the Togwotee Pass area is forecasted to receive over 6 inches of snow with gusty winds blowing from the west in the 20s and 30s mph. This will deposit fresh wind slabs on leeward slopes. If the forecast pans out, wind slabs will be 6 inches to over a foot deep and easily triggered from the weight of a rider. Steep slopes that have signs of wind loading are most suspect.
In many areas this new snow is falling on a very weak snow surface and avalanches will be possible in areas minimally affected by the wind. So keep your guard up in more sheltered terrain as well and avoid travelling in terrain traps such as creek bottoms or gullies where a small avalanche could be consequential.
Textbook example of cracking indicating a fresh wind slab. This is an obvious sign of unstable snow and warrants conservative terrain choices.