Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–1.5
A weak storm yesterday brought 3-5 inches of new snow and strong winds blowing out of the W/SW. This combination built small but sensitive drifts in terrain exposed to the wind. You may find them in atypical locations, such as in middle elevation terrain that is often sheltered from the effects of the wind (photo at right/above). Though these slabs will be small and isolated, they may be large enough to knock you off your feet and carry you through some unpleasant terrain. Be alert to the consequences of triggering one of these slabs if you are traveling in steep, rocky, treed terrain. Even small slides may pick up speed rapidly, thanks to the stiff surfaces underneath.
On Galena Peak, in the Galena Summit and Eastern Mtns Forecast Zone, I intentionally triggered the small slide pictured at right/above. It failed at the interface between the new and old snow on a middle elevation slope that had been obviously wind-loaded.
(1/31/2022) This small wind slab was intentionally triggered at 8,300' on the flanks of Galena Peak on January 31st.