Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1
Strong winds built fresh slabs in the classic places along exposed ridges, at the tops of chutes, and near the base of cliffs. If you find signs of instability, like cracks shooting through the snow or wind drifts that break easily with the weight of a person, stay off of leeward slopes over 35 degrees. Look for visual clues like sharp wind drifts and stiffer snow surfaces. Steer around fresh drifts and stick to lower-angle or wind-sheltered slopes.
A warm and windy storm on Friday brought a few inches of snow with strong southwesterly winds. With the warm start to the storm, any wind slabs should only be moderately reactive. If you find any underlying old, weak snow, you may be able to trigger the slabs easily or in surprising ways.
(12/22/2023)
Cracks in recently wind transported snow near Harts Pass.
Photo: Willie Webster