Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
With extreme winds at all elevations today, wind slabs will be possible below, near, and above treeline. Look for blowing snow, cornice development, cracking, and wind textured snow to alert you to the problem. Feeling for stiff, hollow snow beneath your feet can clue you in to the problem as well. Be mindful of leeward catchment zones such as slopes below ridgelines, open bowls, depressions, gullies and chutes. Keep in mind that extreme winds can redistrubute snow in surprising ways. Be on the lookout for wind deposits forming at lower elevations and in more protected areas than you might typically expect to see them. While the winds are an ample driving force today, snow available for transport will be a limiting factor to avalanche size, distrubution, and likelihood. Localized assessments of conditions and hazard will be essential to staying safe in the backcountry.
(12/16/2024) Photo: Brooke Maushund