West Slopes North

Problemas de aludes

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque

  Probabilidad

  Possible

  Tamaño

  1–1.5

  In the past few days we've been seeing a generally right-side-up, stable snowpack. Expect this to change on Friday. A new crop of wind slabs will likely develop with a few inches of snow and wind.   You can expect to find them near and above treeline, and they will probably be larger and more reactive the higher you get. The danger may vary from the forecast depending on how much wind and snow we receive. Plenty of low-density snow already exists on the northerly half of the compass for wind to redistribute, plus any newly fallen snow will likely be influenced by the wind as well. Expect new slabs to be small, probably only a few inches thick, especially at the start of the day. They could grow a little thicker, possibly six inches or more, by the end of the day. As the day progresses winds will shift from east to west, adding complexity to reading the snow surface. 

  Due to the shallow nature of new slabs you can use small test slopes to determine how reactive slabs are. Use hand pits to investigate the new snow layer. Slabs will likely be soft, and they could be subtle, ever-so-slightly heavier than surrounding non wind-affected snow. They may appear textured or pillowlike. You're most likely to find and trigger wind-drifted deposits on steep rollovers, in gullies and around outcroppings. Pay attention to bullseye clues like long, shooting cracks. Avoid any locations greater than 35 degrees when you encounter any of these indicators.