Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2
New slabs of wind drifted snow are forming in lee areas near ridgelines. The vast majority of these wind slabs will form above treeline and near treeline on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. If the strong mid April sun comes out later this afternoon, sun exposed slopes could potentially become more unstable after snowfall ends. It may not take much of a break in cloud cover to create rapid warming instability given the amount of incoming solar radiation this time of year.
Look for and identify the locations of potentially unstable wind slabs today. Use clues such as new cornice formations, wind drifts, snow surface texture, and snow surface cracking to help identify the areas of concern. Consider avoiding these areas of concern, especially if the sun comes out.
(4/15/2022)
Wind slab avalanche with about a 2 foot crown on the NE aspect of Andesite Peak that was skier triggered at about 1:15 pm on 4/15 under recent new snow and rapid warming conditions. Two partial burials occurred.
Photo: Public