Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–1.5
Today, winds will blow in the strong to extreme categories. Dry snow will be easy for the wind to transport. Wind drifts will grow in size and sensitivity, causing avalanche danger to rise throughout the day. Drifts will be most reactive in areas that have experienced consistent moderate to strong wind loading. With such wind speeds, unusual loading patterns and cross-loading are likely to occur on all aspects except for due south near and above treeline. New snow will fall on various old bed surfaces, the majority of which are smooth and slick. Cold temperatures may make for inadequate bonding of new snow to old. To gain an idea of the snow's bonding capability, feel for how easily it wants to slide on the underlying bed surface.
Specific terrain features such as cliff bands, gullies, and steep ridgelines can act as catchment zones for drifted snow to collect. Be wary of such features, as unstable snow could be present even if signs of wind effect are few. Be mindful of slopes with drifted start zones that have shallow and exposed rocky runouts.
(12/2/2023)
Example photo of a wind slab cracking.
Photo: Samuel Clairmont