Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–2
You'll be able to trigger the biggest avalanches most easily on leeward slopes and at the upper elevations. Very strong winds will form slabs in open areas below treeline. Watch for indicators of these avalanches like blowing snow, cracks shooting through the snow, and deeper drifts on leeward slopes. Steer around drifts and fresh slabs on slopes steeper than 35 degrees. Use extra caution where you find fresh slabs sitting on weak facets and sugar-like, older snow.
Snow may fall on weak, old layers, especially on shaded northeast through northwest aspects. You may be able to trigger avalanches from far away, and they could break in surprising ways. If you see this, stick to slopes 30 degrees or less and put a large buffer of terrain between where you travel and anywhere avalanches could start, run, or stop. If you find more than 6 inches of new snow in wind-sheltered terrain or at low elevations, consider that you may be able to trigger an avalanche on steep slopes.
(1/7/2022)
An example of blowing snow, an indicator of wind slab avalanches.
Photo: Matt Primomo