Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2
As the wind picks up at upper elevations, reactive wind slabs are expected form in lee features.
The wind has turned on and we are expecting up to 22 cm by Monday night. Lookout out for building wind slabs near ridgecrests and for loaded pockets. Dry loose activity will continue to be a problem in sheltered steep terrain.
As the wind picks up at upper elevations, reactive wind slabs are expected form in lee features.
A faceted weak layer exists under a thin crust in isolated pockets. Depending on wind transport over the next few days, this layer could become active. We have had consistent easy propagating test results on this layer on northly aspects.
This problem will be more prevalent in sheltered steep terrain and will be more likely during periods with solar input.
Numerous dry loose avalanches to size 1.5 observed over the last couple days.
Upper snowpack: Up to 22 cm of new snow is expected accompanied by moderate to strong southwest wind. This will continue to build wind slabs on lee slopes. On solar aspects the new snow sits over a crust at and below treeline.
Mid snowpack: 30-50 cm of settling snow from last week's storms sit over a series of melt freeze crusts and faceted layers on polar aspects. On solar aspects, last week's snow sits over a singular melt freeze crust.
Lower snowpack: is well settled.
Mon
Up to 22 cm snow by end of day. Low of -7 °C, High of -3 °C. SW Wind gusting to 75 km/h. Freezing level at 1700 m.
Tues
Sunny with cloudy periods. Low of -9 °C, High of -4 °C. SW Wind gusting to 60 km/h. Freezing level at 1700 m.
Wed
Mix of sun, clouds and isolated flurries. Up to 4 cm of snow. Low of -7 °C, High of -4 °C. SW Wind gusting to 75 km/h. Freezing level at 1700 m.
Current weather forecast: Mountain Weather Forecast