Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–1.5
What and where is it:Watch for wind slabs formed from the 5.5 inches of snow over the past 3 days. Strong west winds have likely scoured exposed terrain and limited slab development at upper elevations. Below ridgelines, at middle elevations, you may find larger, more cohesive slabs in wind-sheltered terrain, especially in gullies, below rollovers, and other terrain features that collect drifting snow.Late tonight, watch for new snow accumulating in steep terrain. By the morning hours, this will likely be a new avalanche problem to consider. New snow will have the ability to hide visual cues of older wind slabs. An avalanche in new snow could have the ability to step down into deeper weak layers in the snowpack and create a bigger avalanche.
How can you recognize it: Look for fresh, smooth, rounded drifts, and check how the new snow is bonding to the older, firm snow surface by digging down into the snowpack. Shooting cracks, a hollow or drum-like feel, and drifts deeper than your boot tops are strong clues you’re on a potentially dangerous wind slab.How can you manage it: Assess steep slopes before you commit to them. Use smart travel techniques that minimize your exposure to areas of wind slab and the runout zones below. Traveling on hard, supportable snow surfaces can reduce the risk of triggering a wind slab avalanche today.