Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Gale force SW winds and new snow will create fragile wind slabs on the leeward side of ridges, in gullies, and on open slopes exposed to the wind today. These wind slabs will quickly become large enough to produce avalanches capable of burying or injuring a person as snow accumulates. Human-triggered wind slab avalanches will become likely today. Natural wind slab avalanches may also be possible in some areas. The largest wind slabs will exist in near and above treeline terrain on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Any breaks in cloud cover this afternoon could make these wind slabs easier to trigger.
Watch out for signs of wind-loading like blowing snow, cornices above a slope, snowdrifts, and wind-created surface textures. Avoiding areas where fragile wind slabs might exist represents a good plan. Traveling on lower-angle slopes in wind-sheltered areas can help avoid potential wind slab issues and may provide softer, more consistent snow conditions.