Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Very Likely
- Size
- 2
Avoid slopes 35 degrees and steeper, especially where the wind is drifting stiffer slabs of snow. Fresh avalanches, cracks shooting through the snow, stiffer layers, and active wind transported snow are all signs that you should avoid avalanche terrain. These avalanches will be large and very likely at mid to upper elevations. We expect cornices to rapidly build (and possibly fall) and for avalanches to occur naturally on many leeward slopes. With very windy conditions, you may also be able to trigger wind slab avalanches below treeline and in unusual places. Even in wind-sheltered terrain, you can trigger avalanches in the new storm snow. Stick to slopes that are sheltered from the wind, less than 35 degrees, and well out from under other steep slopes.
By Monday afternoon, 1.5-2 feet of snow could accumulate. Winds will drift snow from the southwest, becoming west by mid-morning. Gusts could be up to 50 miles per hour. New snow could slide easily on slick crusts buried in the past week. If you're in the mountains, submit an observation and let us know what you see.
(3/15/2022) An example of a wind slab avalanche from March on Kangaroo Ridge Photo: Josh Hirshberg