Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
You'll likely find small—but potentially sensitive—wind slabs at upper elevations. Yesterday's weather system produced gusty W/NW winds in the evening (30-40 mph). The wind is expected to continue today. There is not a ton of loose snow available for transport, so any fresh wind slabs are likely to be small and isolated. However, these drifts may form on weak snow surfaces and could be easily triggered. These are unlikely to produce a big avalanche but could be enough to pull the rug out from under you and take you for a ride. We've received reports of triggered wind slabs—including a few in the last 48 hrs. In the alpine, you'll likely find the whole gambit of conditions: loose snow, sastrugi, crusts, and wind slabs. Watch for relatively smooth areas that are chalky-looking or drifted in appearance—these are bullseye visual clues. These are a problem to avoid, not mitigate—especially in consequential terrain where getting knocked off your feet or sled would be dangerous.
(1/20/2025)
Small slabs may be easy to trigger along winded ridgelines and exposed or cross-loaded mid-slope areas. Thanks to shifting winds, expect to find variable conditions in the alpine.