Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2.5
North winds kicked up overnight with speeds in the mid 30's as of 5:30am. A lot of dry snow is available for transport, which will effectively form fresh wind slabs in areas with the north wind. Weather models indicate that this wind will be restricted to wind channeled terrain, such as areas close to Thompson Pass, so this problem is not expected to be widespread. Nicks weather station did not show a significant jump in overnight wind, with speed still in the single digits with gusts to 12mph. Pay attention to the amount of wind redistribution that has occurred. This can be determined by looking for snow that is stiffer at the surface than what is below and a difference in the depth of surface snow. In areas where stiffer snow is present at the surface human triggered avalanches will be possible 1-3 feet in depth, especially in convex and cross-loaded terrain. Watch for signs of instability such as shooting cracks and collapsing that would indicate the presence of unstable snow.
In addition to recently formed wind slabs, top heavy storm slabs have also formed in places where wind during the 12/15 storm was present. These areas have had more time to settle and are expected to be less sensitive than anything recently formed, but human triggered avalanches remain possible in steep terrain. These can be identified by upside-down surface snow as well and were formed by SE wind instead of NE. For this reason, this problem has been labeled on the location chart as having the potential to exist on all aspects.