Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on drifted upper and mid elevation slopes. After several days with strong and sustained southwest winds, old drifts have become fairly hard and stubborn, but northwest winds are increasing this morning, creating a whole new set of fresh wind slabs. Soft, fresh wind slabs and freshly built cornices might be quite sensitive, sometime releasing on approach, while hard, older wind slabs are tricky and sometimes let people get out on them before releasing.
- You should stay clear of ridge top cornices, which have grown quite large in places. Cornices are likely to break much further back than expected and may trigger large avalanches on steep slopes below.
- Avoid wind drifted snow on the lee side of major ridges and in and around terrain features like sub-ridges, scoops, stringers, cliff bands, and gullies.