Wind Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Possible
- Taille
- 1–2
Rising Hazzard today will be largely driven by new snow. If today’s storm underproduces, reactive wind slabs may remain relatively thin and limited to isolated areas on leeward terrain features. On the flip side, if we hit the high end of the forecasted snow totals, we can expect wind slabs to be larger, more destructive, and more specific in distribution. It will be crucial to conduct your own localized assessments and monitor snow totals closely. Our prevailing southwest winds will keep our focus on northerly and easterly aspects. Winds are expected to remain in the moderate to strong realm today with sustained winds expected to be 30-60 mph with ridgetop. Keep in mind that this is within the ideal range for wind transport and slab development. Large drifts, recent cornice growth, hollow upside-down feeling snow, and uneven snow surfaces are all clues that indicate nearby wind deposits. Do your own localized assessments and be suspect of terrain features that encourage drifting such as the leeward sides of ridgelines, alpine couloirs, gully features, and cross-loaded depressions.