Wind Slabs
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1
Strong NE winds have left wind slabs on N-NW-W-SW-S-SE aspects. While these lingering hard slabs may be more difficult to trigger, a person could still cause them to release from the right spot (i.e. where the slab is thinner or over a trigger point). As the winds shift back to the SW and increase today, small slabs of wind drifted snow may form on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. These will grow some in size as new snow forecasted for this afternoon and tonight accumulates. Avalanches that involve enough snow to bury or injure a person (D2) remain possible today.
Clues like blowing snow, scoured surfaces, firm hollow-sounding snow, sastrugi, drifted snow, and other wind created textures can help identify where wind slabs may exist. These exposed areas will also hold more variable and challenging snow conditions. Travel plans that focus on finding sheltered terrain are more likely to find soft unconsolidated snow.
Photos: Human-triggered wind slab avalanche from Dec 27. More info here.