Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2
The northeast wind is currently blowing 15-25 mph gusting to 40 on Logan Peak and could reach higher speeds later today. This wind, combined with 4-6 inches of new snow, will create shallow, soft, or hard slabs of wind-drifted snow (wind slabs). Human-triggered avalanches 1-2 feet deep will be possible on wind-loaded slopes.
The tricky part: Northeast wind is not our typical loading pattern. In fact, the wind hardly ever blows from this direction. So, be on guard for unusual loading patterns, look for snow drifted by the wind, and avoid those areas. Remember wind-drifted snow can look wavy, pillowy, or sound hollow like a drum (See picture. Can you spot the wind-drifted snow?).
The excellent news: Lose the wind and lose the problem. Outside of slopes being loaded by the wind, you will find a LOW avalanche danger. Yesterday, we rode miles of terrain in the meadows and had a blast.