Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–1.5
New snow that fell two days ago was redistributed by northeast winds yesterday. Winds shifted from northwest to northeast and in some locations were in the 30 mph range. That shift built stiff slabs that were reactive in unusual places, as winds do not typically come out of the east in the Tetons. It will take steep terrain, at least 35 degrees, to get wind slabs to move downhill.
Look out for signs of wind loading such as rounded, pillowed or stiff snow surfaces. Shooting cracks are an indicator that the snow is unstable. Wind slabs today will generally be up to a foot in depth and less reactive than yesterday. Triggering a wind slab today hold the potential to knock you off of your feet and lose control. This becomes a more serious issue when travelling above terrain traps such as gullies, cliff bands and trees.
(1/22/2025)
A small windslab from the ridgeline of Taylor Mountain.