Wind Slabs
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
As wind scouring continues in exposed near and above treeline areas, better snow quality and less avalanche hazard will exist in wind protected locations. Blowing snow, new cornice formation, and snow surface scouring will help identify where wind slabs are developing. Move around these areas of concern.
The Northeast-East winds increased in speed over the last 24 hours and are expected to continue through today. Expect to see more wind scouring on wind exposed slopes with newly formed dense wind slabs on leeward slopes. Problematic wind slabs are most likely to form below ridges, in gully features, and on open slopes. Gullies and chutes could have new wind slabs forming along the sidewalls due to cross loading of the terrain. Snow surface cracking or dense snow over less dense snow could indicate that you are in an area of unstable wind slab.
(12/28/2025) Donner Summit area.
Soft snow still lingers on N-NE-E aspects and is available for the E-NE winds to transport as the winds increase in speed.
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center