Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1
SW winds have drifted snow and deposited it as wind slabs in above treeline and near treeline terrain. Wind slabs ranging from soft slab to hard slab are widespread on NW-N-NE-E-SE aspects. Old snow on the ground that is still available for drifting is minimal. Older wind slabs formed during the Dec 18 wind event are gaining strength.
At this point, wind slabs exist in most all lee areas near treeline and above treeline but are difficult to trigger. Any avalanches that occur today will most likely be isolated and in an area surrounded by seemingly good stability. Avalanche size up to D2 remains possible. While triggering one of the older hard wind slabs over softer near surface facets from Dec 18 has become unlikely, the consequences of doing so remain elevated.
Use the clues of recently wind drifted snow to identify areas of wind slab and adjust routes accordingly. Recently wind drifted snow exists below cornices, at and below rounded wind pillows, and where indicated by wind scouring vs deposition patterns along ridgelines.