Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Wind slabs may be found in the immediate lee of peaks and ridges, and may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Avalanche forecast
View on mapNorth Rockies
Mar 31 – Apr 1, 2026Avalanche Canada
Archived · expired 6 months ago
Avalanche danger
Thu
Fri
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
Highlights
Watch for wind slabs on steep alpine terrain features.
Avalanche problems
Confidence
Moderate
- We are uncertain whether the wind will be enough to form new wind slabs.
Avalanche Summary
A few small dry loose avalanches were reported over the weekend involving 30 cm of low-density snow above a crust. Otherwise, recent activity is limited to older wind slabs from last week’s storm.
Wind slabs may remain reactive longer than usual due to poor bonding to the crust.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 30 cm of low-density snow fell over the weekend, now sitting over older wind-affected snow.
A thick crust from the mid-March atmospheric river is buried 40 to 80 cm deep and extends up to about 1500 m.
Below the crust, the snowpack is strong and well bonded.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.