Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1
Fresh shallow wind slabs could build on lee aspects near ridges and in wind-exposed alpine terrain. Older slabs formed on Tuesday from westerly winds. You may be able to trigger these older wind slabs as well as those that form on Thursday.
Visual clues such as textured surfaces, blowing snow, cornices, and pillow-like drifts of snow can help you identify and avoid areas where you could trigger an avalanche. If you observe shooting cracks or feel the snowpack collapse beneath you, move to lower angle or wind-sheltered terrain. Even small avalanches can be consequential if it knocks you off your feet and carries you into trees, rocks, over cliffs, or buries you in confined terrain.
(2/27/2022)
An older example of a slab avalanche (D1) with wind transport visible. Cutthroat creek drainage
Photo: Josh Hirshberg