Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 2
Heightened avalanche conditions exist on upper elevation slopes, and you could trigger avalanches consisting of wind drifted snow. Drifting occurred in exposed terrain much of last week, and there are some deeper hard wind slabs lurking under the fresh snow in places. Moderate east and southeast winds are expected on Christmas Day, which could create sensitive drifts at upper elevations in unexpected or unusual places.
- Watch for and avoid fresh or older drifts on the lee sides of major ridges and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, scoops, gullies, stringers, and sub-ridges.
- Avoid steep slopes that have a smooth, rounded appearance, or that sound hollow like a drum.
- Hard wind slabs have a nasty tendency to let you get well out on them before releasing.
- Cracking in the snow is a red flag indicating potential instability.