Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
On Friday, I observed a very small skier triggered avalanche on an east aspect of Tumalo bowl. With 4" of new snow on Friday, wind slabs will continue to build into early Saturday morning. Wind slabs often form below ridgelines, areas that catch snow, and on slopes where the wind can freely move snow. Look for clues such as wind-textured snow, pillows of wind drifted snow, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches. Use caution around wind loaded slopes 30 degrees or steeper. If in doubt, move to lower angle terrain and/or wind scoured slopes. Don't forget that the wind can create slabs many times deeper than the amount of snow that fell.
Here is a picture of a small skier triggered avalanche in the Tumalo bowl.
Photo: Elliott Reed