Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–2.5
On north-facing and high-alpine slopes where dry, loose snow may persist, wind slabs remain possible.
Avalanche danger will increase through the day with warming and sun exposure.
Use extra caution in large alpine terrain, where a wintry snowpack with deeply buried weak layers may persist.
On north-facing and high-alpine slopes where dry, loose snow may persist, wind slabs remain possible.
A layer of weak, faceted snow with a firm crust is buried 100 to 200 cm deep and continues to periodically produce large avalanches. Warming temperatures and solar radiation may increase its reactivity.
Wet loose avalanches are most likely during periods of direct solar input and as temperatures rise later in the day.
Several loose wet avalanches, up to size 2, were reported on Friday during periods of warming and sun exposure.
Large (up to size 3) persistent slab avalanches have been reported periodically over the past couple weeks. All observed events were naturally triggered, likely during periods of warming, solar radiation, and/or wind loading. The most recent report occurred within the past few days on an east aspect at approximately 1700 m (see photo below for details).
A surface crust is likely to form overnight in terrain at treeline and above, except in high-alpine terrain, particularly on north aspects, where dry, wind-affected snow may persist. At lower elevations, limited overnight refreezing is likely to result in a moist or isothermal upper snowpack. With daytime warming and a chance of sun, the upper snowpack will weaken throughout the day.
A layer of weak, sugary snow over a thick crust is buried 100 to 200 cm and continues to produce large, surprising avalanches.
Monday Night
Clear skies. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m. Weak temperature inversion.
Tuesday
Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Wednesday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.
Thursday
Sunny. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level 2100 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.