Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Wind slab avalanches remain the primary concern for now. Winds were moving snow once again yesterday, and this snow is loading a layer of weak facets sitting on top of a firm crust. With limited snow available for transport, these avalanches should be on the smaller side, but they may still be big enough to bury or injure someone.
This problem is manageable. You can stay out of trouble by avoiding steep terrain with stiffer snow sitting on top of softer snow. You may notice warning signs like shooting cracks or collapsing, but it may be more subtle— like punching through a stiffer surface layer. The most suspect terrain will be steep slopes just below ridgelines, convex rolls, and in gullies.
Loose Snow Avalanches remain a concern, especially as steep south-facing terrain heats up in the afternoon. They are unlikely to be big enough to bury a person but can still be dangerous if they carry you into terrain traps. Keep an eye on steep southerly slopes later in the day, especially those with trees or rocks, which will be the first to heat up in the sun.