Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
We have limited observations and a fair amount of uncertainty. Still, the East South recently received around 1ft of new snow, and moderate winds on Saturday likely drifted the snow into stiff slabs. Expect wind slabs to be larger and easier to trigger as you ascend elevation. Use visual clues such as textured surfaces, deep pillow-like drifts, or feel for stiff over soft snow layering to identify likely wind slab locations. Avoid steep slopes and potential trigger spots such as the base of cliffs, convex rolls, and slopes below corniced ridges. Also, pay attention to warning signs of instability, such as shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
(2/28/2023)
These pillow-like drifts below ridges are prime locations to trigger a wind slab.
Photo: Katie Warren