Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1–2
You might trigger an avalanche in recently drifted snow. Though some small avalanches may break on the old snow surface, some slides may step down into buried weak layers up to four feet deep in the snowpack on easterly and cross-loaded south-facing slopes.
Watch for and avoid wind-loaded terrain features such as steep rollovers near ridge tops and gullies that have collected drifted snow. These areas will look filled in and may have a smooth rounded appearance.
Cracking and collapsing in the new snow is a sign to move to lower-elevation slopes or wind-sheltered terrain less than about 30 degrees.