Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2.5
The Seward and Lost Lake areas are getting the brunt of the winds during this outflow event. Yesterday, massive wind transport formed wind slabs 1 to 2+' deep at mid and upper elevations. Today, strong winds will continue to transport whatever soft snow is left on the surface. To identify areas with fresh wind slabs look for recent avalanches, shooting cracks, or hollow feeling pillows of snow along ridgelines and convex features. Temperatures combined with wind chill will be frigid today, so here is a friendly reminder to bring warm gloves, extra layers, and something to cover your face.
We still have limited information about this area and have seen large avalanches after the major storm this weekend near Seward that could have released on a buried weak layer. Due to this uncertainty and the active wind loading, we recommend a cautious approach to steep terrain.
Cornices along ridgelines and dry loose avalanches on steep slopes are additional hazards to look out for. As the surface snow turns to facets in the cold temperatures dry loose avalanches can start to gain more volume and run faster.
Photo: Mik Dalpes