Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1.5–2.5
People could still release wind slab avalanches large enough to bury them on steep wind-loaded slopes today. Wind slabs could exist on almost any aspect due to the shifting winds blowing snow back and forth across the ridges earlier this week. Some of the slabs will be dense and wind compacted. As the winds shift back to the SW and increase this afternoon, they may get strong enough to add more wind-blown snow to the NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. In addition to the wind slabs, huge cornices have formed along many ridgelines. The largest wind slabs will exist in near and above treeline terrain, but the winds may have built a few on open lower-elevation slopes.
Blowing snow, cornices above a slope, drifted snow, dense hollow-sounding snow, and wind-created surface textures all indicate the presence of wind slabs. Before committing to any slopes where wind slabs might exist, look for any signs of instability, like recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or unstable test results. If signs of instability or uncertainty about a slope exist, bypass that area and switch to sub-30-degree slopes without steeper terrain above.
(1/16/2023)
Long shooting cracks on a cross-loaded N facing slope above the standard skin track on Mt. Judah
Photo: Andy Anderson