Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
The combination of new snow and wind has built small slabs in exposed terrain. These slabs will grow in size and distribution today as the wind continues to transport snow. Though small, these slabs may be large enough to knock you off your feet and send you down the slope. Look for them in upper elevation terrain along ridgelines and on the sides of mid-slope gullies and ribs. Dune-shaped drifts and textures on the snow surface like waves and ripples are signs that the wind has been at work, as are fresh cornices along ridgelines. Cracking and collapsing are clear indicators that you've found an unstable slab. Consider the consequences of being swept off your feet and carried through the terrain you are in. Small slabs can carry high consequences if they drag you through trees or over rock bands.
Fresh slabs are building on a variety of weak surfaces that developed over the past several weeks. This weak snow may make today's thin slabs a bit more reactive to your weight than they would be otherwise. In areas sheltered from the wind, it will be possible to trigger small loose snow avalanches involving the new snow and the weaker facets underneath. These are unlikely to bury you, but may be able to knock you off your feet and send you downslope.
ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION: Weak layers buried in the upper 2 feet of the snowpack have largely become unreactive, thanks to an extended period without significant loading. If you are unlucky enough to find the "sweet spot" where these layers remain reactive you'll almost certainly be in rocky, wind-affected terrain steeper than about 35 degrees where recent drifting has added weight to these layers. These layers appear to be worse on slopes that directly face the sun where crusts+facets are buried.