Storm Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2
It's not the biggest storm of the year but there will be enough new snow to justify taking a step back when it comes to terrain choice. The approaching storm is warmer than anything we have seen in quite a while. While we have gotten used to cold dry powder falling on settled snow, be ready for dense slabs and upside-down snow conditions Monday.
Fresh slabs don't take special tools to observe. Look for shooting cracks and new natural and human triggered avalanches. Use small test slopes to gauge reactivity. Hand pits might show a stronger layer sliding easily over a weaker layer below.
You are more likely to trigger an avalanche in downwind terrain where the wind drops new snow into thicker and more sensitive slabs.
(3/11/2023)
Storm slab avalanche with wide propagation around a gully in Swift Creek/West North
Photo: Pete Durr