Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Recent winds have built slabs at and below ridgetops in atypical areas. These slabs are likely to be more reactive where they overlie a weak layer of surface hoar and/or a crust.
Wind slabs may be reactive to riders especially where they are sitting on a crust or a weak layer.
Be careful with sluffing in steep terrain, especially above cliffs and terrain traps.
Recent winds have built slabs at and below ridgetops in atypical areas. These slabs are likely to be more reactive where they overlie a weak layer of surface hoar and/or a crust.
No new avalanches were reported by Tuesday afternoon.
Pockets of wind slab may be reactive to rider triggers, especially on southerly facing slopes.
New snow up to 20 cm with moderate to strong northeast winds may have formed fresh wind slabs. Dry loose sluffing from steep terrain features is likely as the new, low-density snow may show a poor bond to old snow surfaces including surface hoar, faceted snow and wind-pressed snow.
A crust up to 1900 m is found down 30-50 cm. In areas east of Quesnel and Williams Lake, reports say there is also a layer of surface hoar associated with the crust. This may also exist in sheltered alpine terrain features.
The midpack is reportedly well-settled and supportive.
Tuesday Night
New snow 5-10 cm. Ridgetop wind 10-20 km/h from the west. Treeline temperatures near -15 C.
Wednesday
Cloudy with possible sunny periods and flurries. Ridgetop wind 10- 20 km/h from the northeast and treeline temperatures near -15 C.
Thursday
Mix of sun and cloud. Ridgetop wind 15-20 km/h from the southeast. Treeline temperature -10 C.
Friday
Cloudy with isolated flurries. Ridgetop wind light from the southeast. Treeline temperatures near -5 C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.