Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2
New snow and strong SW winds will load snow onto the leeward side of ridges, in gullies, and on open slopes exposed to the wind today. This loading will create wind slabs that grow quickly as more snow accumulates throughout the day. These wind slabs may form faster than they can bond to the snow below them. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches large enough to bury or injure a person will become likely today. Some natural wind slab avalanches may also be possible in some areas. The largest wind slabs will exist in near and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. In areas where less new snow accumulates, smaller wind slabs will exist.
Watch out for signs of wind loading like blowing snow, cornices above a slope, snowdrifts, and wind-created surface textures. Conditions will change quickly today. Avoiding areas where fragile wind slabs might exist represents a good plan. Traveling on lower-angle slopes in wind-sheltered areas can help avoid potential wind slab issues and may provide softer, more consistent snow conditions.