Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
In the Southern Wallowas 5" of new snow fell on Thursday and the Northern Wallowas received 2-3". This snowfall has been followed by moderate northwest winds with stronger gusts. Last evening wind gusts at the Kip Rand Station were in the 20's with sustained winds in the teens. These conditions will have loaded the leeward sides of ridgelines with fresh windslabs that sit on a mostly firm snow surface. Look for wind loading on mostly east to south-facing slopes and evaluate exposed steep terrain that could have been crossloaded by the northwest winds. Avoid areas where you notice signs of wind loading such as rounded pillowy snow drifts, hollow sounding snow, or snow with a rippled snow texture, especially if these areas are above consequential terrain traps such as cliffs, gullies, or dense trees.