Wind Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Unlikely
- Taille
- 1–1.5
Wind slabs and drifts have bonded well to the older snowpack, making avalanches unlikely. Warm temperatures will continue to strengthen the snowpack, and triggering an avalanche will be difficult. However, fresh snow remains available for transport when winds increase out of the southwest tonight. Fresh slabs may be present tomorrow morning near and above treeline.
Although signs of instability will be minimal today, the risk is not zero. Isolated wind slabs could persist in steep alpine terrain, exposed cliffs, or unsupported hanging snowfields, where avalanches can have serious consequences.
Watch for signs of wind-blown snow, such as cornices, drifts, or textured surfaces. Cracking or hollow-sounding snow suggests instability. If you notice these conditions, move to a safer area. Softer, smoother snow is often found in wind-sheltered, low-lying terrain.