Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
Avalanches will remain unlikely until new snow starts to accumulate later today and this evening. Other hazards including long sliding falls on frozen icy crusts and collisions with exposed obstacles (or both) still exist. Strong winds before and during the storm and falling temperatures with wind chills that become dangerously cold could also pose threats to backcountry travelers especially those planning to spend the night outside.
Once new snow starts to accumulate this afternoon and evening, the avalanche danger will start to increase. New fragile wind slabs will form on wind-loaded N-NE-E aspects and cross-loaded NW and SE aspects in near and above treeline terrain. These wind slabs will start small and will grow in size as the snow accumulates. In the most heavily wind-loaded areas that receive the most new snow, they could grow large enough that avalanches involving these wind slabs could bury or injure a person this evening and during the night (or earlier if the snow arrives sooner than expected).
If the frigid single-digit temperatures with wind chills below zero and winds gusting to ~100 mph are not enough to deter a person from backcountry travel tonight, then expect human triggered wind slab avalanches to become possible in wind-loaded areas this evening and during the night as well.