Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2
It will be possible to trigger wind slabs that formed toward the end of the last storm. These slabs could be 1-2 feet deep and exist on a variety of aspects at upper and middle elevations. Look for wind affected slopes. If one side of a terrain feature appears stripped of snow, a wind slab may be lurking on the leeward side. Areas just below ridgelines, near mountain passes, and in cross loaded gullies are the most suspect.
As temperatures warm throughout the day, wet snow avalanches on steep, sun exposed slopes will become more likely. While these avalanches will generally be small, they could stack up in gullies and other similar terrain features. Roller balls are a sign that slopes are heating up.
(1/10/2026)
Example of how to identify potentially wind loaded terrain.
Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center