Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2
Winds ranged from the southwest to the northwest during the storm yesterday. These winds shifted last evening to the northeast and are in the 20 to 30mph range with gusts as high as 50mph. Recent low density storm snow will be transported over to SE-S-SW-W-NW aspects in near and above treeline areas forming new wind slabs today. These NE winds will scour existing wind slabs and cornices that formed yesterday in wind exposed areas. New wind slabs will form near ridges, below cornices, and in gully features.
Many human triggered wind slab avalanches were reported yesterday throughout the forecast area on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. Most of these avalanches were reported failing either on firm melt freeze crusts or on a layer of graupel just above the old snow/new snow interface. In near treeline areas with some northeast wind protection, these wind slabs could continue to be reactive due to a slow bonding process with the cold temperatures.
Look for blowing snow, cornice formation, and snow surface clues as to where wind slabs may exist. Snow surface cracking or dense snow over less dense snow could indicate unstable wind slab conditions. Identify areas of concern such as steep wind loaded slopes or areas below cornice features. Move around these areas with caution.
(3/6/2025)
Snowboarder triggered small wind slab avalanche above Crater Lake, Carson Pass area.
