Storm Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Likely
- Taille
- 1–2
Storm snow from yesterday and today will keep concern for slab avalanches heightened. Warmer temperatures and wetter snow will create an upside-down configuration in the new snow. New, cohesive snow will sit atop a widespread breakable crust and weak layer. If optimistic snow amounts verify, the weight of new snow may be enough to awaken this instability. A human definitely could. Evaluate the snowpack carefully particularly if venturing onto steep unsupported slopes below and near treeline.
As you transition to higher elevations, wind will begin to dominate. Slabs will be thicker, harder, and limited to more leeward terrain. The rime crust will dissappear and the main concern will be how well snow is bonding to the old, wind-hardened snow surface from Sunday. Winds have been consistently out of the southwest and west. Leeward terrain will tend to be easterly facing, but winds fluctuate as they flow over complex terrain. Pay attention to where wind has been transporting snow. Stomp on small cornices and roll-overs in safe terrain. If you see blocking or shooting cracks, avoid steep slopes nearby.