Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2
It's really all about the loose sugary Persistent Weak Layers that are both deeper in the snowpack and closer to the surface. There are scattered areas where human triggered avalanches are possible. The two photos above are great examples of what to look out for today.
- Areas where the wind has drifted snow and formed drifts and slabs. This is most pronounced in the higher terrain. Watch for and avoid obvious drifts and slabs along any terrain feature in the mid and upper elevation west, north and east facing terrain. North through east facing slopes are the most suspect. Some of these drifts will involve only the upper layers of the snowpack. A few could break deeper.
- Wet snow avalanches should be considered in the mid and lower elevations. Wet snow is gouging into weak buried facets. You'll want to avoid any steep slope in the mid and lower elevations where the snowpack is wet, saturated, sloppy and punchy. If you are sinking deep into unconsolidated wet snow, this is a clue of unstable conditions.
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