Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Very Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2.5
Gale force winds yesterday and overnight from the S-SW combined with heavy new snow and rain, will make thick wind slabs on leeward slopes our main concern. This combined with new snow and warming temps will increase a heavy/over light upside down snowpack even more of a concern. Look for above tree line leeward slope slab development, a widespread and reactive problem today. Stay out of avalanche terrain, especially with larger slopes above you and consequential terrain traps below. Wind speeds over the Sierra front over the past 24 hours have been in the average of 50-60 mph with gusts up to 140 mph yesterday. Wind can easily transport 3-5x the amount of snow onto leeward slopes and protected convexities, making for large wind slabs. This snow may sound hollow or look pillowed on the terrain or you may not even notice it until it breaks.