Central Sierra Nevada

Problèmes avalancheux

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alpin
  • Limite forestière
  • Sous la limite forestière

  Probabilité

  Possible

  Taille

  1–2

  Wind slabs continue to be a concern along the eastern and southern portions of the forecast region where the most snow fell during our last storm.  Wind slabs up to 2 feet deep have been observed since the recent storm over the weekend.  Northeast winds will continue to be strong today with blowing snow where snow remains available for wind transport.  Many wind exposed slopes have been scoured back down to firm crusts from these winds. These new wind slabs have formed on top of either sugary faceted snow at the old snow surface or on top of firm ice.  Look for where this snow is accumulating in gully features, below ridges, and on open slopes.   

  Deeper pockets of wind blown snow, new cornices forming over a slope, or snow surface scouring could all be clues as to where wind slabs may have formed.  Any cracking in the snow surface would be a clear sign that new wind slabs are unstable in that area. Traveling in wind protected areas such as tree-covered slopes or places where other terrain blocks the wind can reduce the exposure to this avalanche problem and provide improved snow surface conditions.