Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2
8-16 inches of the snow over the last 48 hours combined with shifting south to west wind has formed slabs up to 12-18 inches deep on wind loaded terrain in the upper elevations. Increasing wind in the afternoon will form newer and more reactive wind slabs. Triggering avalanches will be more likely the higher you travel in elevation and into more open/exposed terrain to the wind. Look for signs of instability including stiffened snow surfaces, shooting cracks, or large pillow/drifts formed. Variable new to old snow interfaces could make wind slabs more reactive on specific terrain.
Watch for dry loose avalanches on steep terrain over 35° if you find forecasted high end snow totals around 8” by the end of the day. Recent snow has fallen on a variety of different snow surfaces that vary by aspect. Perform quick hand shear tests and assess how the recent snow is bonding to old snow surfaces.
(3/13/2025)
Dry loose avalanches on upper elevation northerly aspects. Larger slab avalanches are possible in more exposed terrain to the wind.
Photo: Alex Drinkard