Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2
Wind slabs will be the most sensitive and reactive to a human-trigger close to the ridgelines and at the upper sections of steep snow slopes. Light and moderate wind speeds have kept snow below 4500’ generally soft and unaffected by wind. As elevation increases, expect snowpack stability to decrease and look out for a stiffer, thicker, more reactive slab.
Watch out for areas of snow that sound hollow, feel stiffer, and have a styrofoam texture. These new wind slabs are resting on a slick melt/freeze crust in most locations which will limit their ability to bond to the old snow surface. These areas have the potential to propagate and create a large avalanche.
If wind speeds become stronger than what is forecast, watch out for plumes of snow at the ridgelines, which is a red flag for continued wind loading and a good reason to avoid these slopes.