Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1
With nice sunny weather expected on Sunday, if you explore new and higher elevation terrain, you may encounter fresh and shallow wind slabs in specific places. With NE winds expected through Sunday morning, this unusual wind direction will drift snow onto different aspects relative to our typical PNW storm track.
If you do trigger a wind slab avalanche on Sunday, it will likely be small and directly below ridgelines, in steep chutes, or below the base of cliffs. Think in terms of the consequences of triggering a small slide. A slab that breaks above a firm and smooth crust will travel quickly and could knock you off your feet. Use extra caution in consequential terrain like a rocky couloir or above cliff bands where a small avalanche would have outsized consequences.
You may notice shallow instabilities like this on Sunday. Look for wind-stiffened snow, cracking, or snow sliding easily to help you identify areas of concern.
Photo: Joe Dellaporta