Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 3
Strong to gale force winds out of the SW were observed to transport snow yesterday and human triggered wind slab avalanches were reported. Last nights snowfall and wind have combined to increase the size and distribution of already unstable wind slabs. Ongoing new snow accumulation and wind loading today will further increase the hazard and potential avalanche size. The vast majority of wind slabs will be found in near treeline and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects today. Due to the strength of the winds, wind slabs may also exist below treeline on all aspects and in some areas near and above treeline on the generally windward S-SW-W aspects due to localized terrain effects changing the wind direction.
Avoid steep wind loaded areas and areas with steep potentially wind loaded slopes above as natural and human triggered avalanches are expected today. Use clues such as recent avalanche activity, blowing snow, cornice formations, wind pillows, and shooting cracks to determine where wind slab formation has occurred and identify areas to avoid.
