Hatcher Pass

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1–2

  Moderate gusting strong winds out of the ENE today will be capable of transporting the modest amount of new snow we have available from 1/6-7 on the surface at upper elevations. Be on the lookout for active signs of wind loading, such as pluming and drifting snow along ridgetops. Watch for signs of instability such as whumphing and shooting cracks as you travel. It will be possible to trigger new, shallow wind slabs that form throughout the morning today. 

  Thicker and more stubborn wind slabs from the 1/6-1/7 storm will remain possible to trigger with higher consequences. The last storm event was more wind than snow. The relatively protected Independence Mine SNOTEL site registered winds 30-38mph for 12+ hours. Hatch and Marmot AT 4500' registered wind gusts 90mph+. While winds tapered and several inches of light, new storm snow can be found over a variety of surfaces, these extreme winds built stout, harder wind slabs up to 2.5' thick. 

  You will be able to find these in specific leeward terrain throughout the forecast area and are most likely to trigger in steep terrain below ridges, in gullies and below rocks where extreme winds built thicker slabs over preserved facets. Be observant of crossloaded features (see photo of Hatch Peak Sunnyside below) and terrain traps. 

  This week's wind slabs are sitting over weak, sugary faceted snow grains at various layers of the snowpack. At the deepest, they could fail on basal facets sitting on top of ice at the bottom of the snowpack. Due to the thickness of these slabs and the "upside down" nature of this new structure, this problem is likely to persist for a while. 

  You are less likely to experience shooting cracks with these stiff slabs with this problem as it trends stubborn and harder to trigger. Pay attention to firm, hollow feeling or sounding surfaces. Spot your partners, travel one at a time through steep or complex terrain and ski from zones of safety to zones of safety.