Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Very Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2.5
The heavy snow that has fallen over the last few days has been accompanied by strong to very strong winds. These winds have ranged from the southwest to northwest and have impacted avalanche conditions on all aspects. The old snow surface is uniquely hard, slick and can found on all aspects. Today skiers and riders can easily trigger soft or hard slab avalanches that fail on the December 10th crust or on density breaks within the recent snow. The additional 1 to 2 feet of snow that is expected today could bring maximum slab depths to four feet by this evening. Stay away from steep terrain that has wind loaded or wind pressed snow. Be attentive to the fact that wind slabs can be supportive and hide the buried instabilities.
The old weak snow buried in early November is not expected to be active at this time and will continue to be monitored.
Note the unusual loading pattern on the slope in the foreground. This photo was taken last week after a very strong wind event.