Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Likely
- Tamaño
- 1–2.5
The wind direction may vary greatly across the region, so verify conditions in your area.
A weak layer of snow is buried 50 to 70 cm deep and is still producing natural avalanches.
Avoid areas where the surface snow is denser and feels "slabby"
The wind direction may vary greatly across the region, so verify conditions in your area.
Human triggered avalanches are likely anywhere that a slab has formed above a weak layer of surface hoar, facets, and/or crust buried at the end of January about 50 to 70 cm deep.
Thursday: A few large (size 2 to 2.5) natural avalanches were reported on a southeast and east aspects in the alpine.
Wednesday: A few small (size 1) natural and rider triggered avalanches were reported in the recent storm snow.
A weak layer of snow formed during the cold drought period in January is continuing to produce large natural avalanches in the region. Small wind slab avalanches are being triggered in wind loaded features at all elevations.
35 to 50 cm of soft snow is on the surface, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. Cold temperatures have kept the recent storm snow loose and low density.
Variable wind speeds and directions through the storm and after mean that the extent of wind-affected snow at different aspects and elevations will vary across the region.
This recent snow has not bonded well to the late January drought layer, which includes melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, large surface hoar or facets in sheltered areas, and wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at ridgelines.
The lower snowpack is strong and bonded.
Friday Night
Clear. 10 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
Saturday
Partly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -13 °C.
Sunday
Partly cloudy. 10 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -15 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -20 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.