Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely - Possible
- Size
- 1–1.5
Wind slabs may linger on shaded aspects in steep, alpine terrain. Assess for slabs prior to entering high-consequence terrain.
Avalanche forecast
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Apr 21 – 22, 2024Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 2 years ago
Avalanche danger
Tue
Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Isolated pockets of wind slabs may linger in steep terrain in the alpine.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Riders triggered small loose and wind slab avalanches on Friday in steep northerly alpine terrain. Looking forward, it may remain possible for humans to trigger similar avalanches in steep features.
Snowpack Summary
Northerly alpine slopes hold 10 to 20 cm of settled storm snow that overlies a hard melt-freeze crust. Isolated wind slabs may linger in steep northerly alpine terrain. All other aspects and everywhere below treeline have a hard surface crust.
The remainder of the upper snowpack is a mix of hard snow and crusts. The lower snowpack contains old weak layers that are currently dormant.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 1 °C. Freezing level rising to 2100 m.
Tuesday
Partly cloudy. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Freezing level rising to 2500 m.
Wednesday
Mix of sun and clouds. 10 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- When a thick, melt-freeze surface crust is present, avalanche activity is unlikely.