Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1–2
Wind slabs are becoming less reactive as they facet under the influence of cold temperatures.
It's cold, it's windy. Keep in mind that small mistakes can have dire consequences in these conditions.
Wind slabs are becoming less reactive as they facet under the influence of cold temperatures.
There have been no recent reports of avalanches.
Observations are limited this time of year. Be sure to verify conditions as you go.
If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN)!
Surfaces are stiff with sastrugi in wind-exposed terrain. Wind slab reactivity is subsiding due to faceting under the influence of cold temperatures. Very sheltered terrain such as dense tree cover may still hold soft snow.
An average snowpack depth of 110 cm in the alpine tapers with elevation to around 60 cm at the White Pass highway elevation, where early season hazards lurk just under the surface.
Friday night
Increasing cloud. 60 km/h northeast outflow wind. Treeline temperature -30 °C. Inversion developing in the afternoon; -15 °C in the high alpine.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 70 km/h east outflow wind. Treeline temperature -25 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 3 cm of snow. 50 km/h northeast outflow wind. Treeline temperature -26 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h northeast outflow wind. Treeline temperature -26 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.