Persistent Slabs
- Alpin
- Limite forestière
- Sous la limite forestière
- Probabilité
- Possible
- Taille
- 1–2
Our forecast team has been finding some weak snow (facets) buried 8”-12” deep and possibly deeper where the wind has drifted snow. These layers propagated during extended column tests, indicating we need to give this layer some time to heal. As long as we have snow available for transport and more snow in the forecast, the slabs sitting above this weak layer will continue to grow.
Over the past two days, forecasters have been finding this layer near the summit of Paulina and at lower elevations on sheltered open slopes. Where persistent slabs exist, it is best to give a wide buffer, as this avalanche type can fracture farther and wider than expected. You can look for clues such as cracking or whumpfing, but this avalanche type can be unpredictable and does not always give you feedback. If you have any uncertainty, avoid being anywhere an avalanche can start, run and stop.