Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
The gale force NE winds have deposited stiff wind-blown snow on the downwind side of ridges, gullies, and wind-exposed terrain features. Due to the NE wind direction, this blowing snow has filled in the opposite sides of these areas (NW-W-SW-S-SE aspects) from where wind slabs typically form during storms with SW winds. Blowing snow should decrease today since most soft snow has already been transported, and the NE winds have lessened. This decrease in loading should help give the new wind slabs a chance to start bonding to the underlying snow surfaces. Still, triggering a wind slab avalanche large enough to bury or injure a person may remain possible today in some places.
The strong winds left several clues to help identify where wind slabs may exist, including new cornices, deposits of wind-drifted snow, stiff wind-packed snow, ripples, and other wind-created surface textures. Recent avalanche activity and cracking in wind-blown snow provide clear signs that the wind slabs remain unstable. The strong NE wind also scoured most of the snow away from near and above treeline areas facing N-NE-E, leaving behind a mix of wind-sculpted features and firm crusts. If your travel plans take you into more alpine terrain near exposed ridges, gullies, and open areas, expect to find variable surface conditions and lingering wind slabs. On the other hand, traveling in near and below treeline terrain like forested slopes or areas where other terrain blocks the wind can help reduce exposure to possible avalanches. These wind-sheltered areas may also still hold softer, more consistent snow.