Persistent Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 2
A classic setup of strong snow over weak snow has developed on upper elevation, northerly aspects that retained snow from October. This October snow has become loose, weak, and sugary, or as we say, faceted. This faceted snow has formed a persistent weak layer at the base of the snowpack. Recent and wind drifted snow has formed a dense slab on top of this weak snow. The odds of triggering an avalanche on this weak layer continue to decrease, but human triggered avalanches up to 2' deep are still possible on steep, northerly facing slopes at mid and upper elevations.
Extended column test illustrates the weak layer where a slab avalanche is likely to fail.