Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2
What and where is it:Watch out for new wind slabs that are forming throughout the day on west-facing and north-facing aspects. Early in the day, these slabs may be limited in size but will have the potential to become larger and more reactive with increasing winds throughout the day. Where new snow is drifting onto existing steep snow slopes, these slabs could be large enough to bury you.
How can you recognize it: Watch for shooting cracks in the snowpack and new snow drifting and accumulating into wind-protected areas that is deeper than the tops of your boots. Use your hand, shovel, or ski pole to identify snow drifts that are hard-over-soft in structure as a sign you have found a developing wind slab.
How can you manage it:Thoughtful route finding, and identifying locations of new wind slabs can help you avoid traveling through this avalanche problem.