Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Wind slabs up to a foot deep were formed 36-48 hours ago by moderate to strong winds out of the east/northeast. Winds have since shifted to the northwest making slab formation possible on a variety of aspects in the upper elevations. Skiers and riders can still trigger one of these slabs in very steep terrain (>35°) above 9,000’. Sunny and mild conditions expected today may increase the likelihood of triggering a wind slab as the day warms. The majority of these avalanches will be small, but could knock you off your feet in exposed terrain. Watch for loading/cross loading in unusual places given the atypical wind direction over the last several days. Avoid very steep slopes with signs of wind loading such as dense drifts or cracking within the recent snow.
Look for this type of wind slab on very steep convexities, around cliffs, and crossloaded terrain features like couloirs.
Photo: Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center