Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
The big change with this problem is that the northeast and east winds on Thursday were moving a lot of snow. The wind was blasting and plumes of blowing snow were visible on many of the high peaks and ridges near and above treeline. This was different from what the weather forecast was calling for, but it is a good reminder we need to be aware of changing and unexpected conditions. I am moving this problem to all aspects. The existing wind slabs on the easterly aspects are trending toward stubborn to non reactive. On these aspects it will be less likely to trigger a wind slab but still something to watch for. New wind slabs that formed on westerly aspects will be more reactive to triggering. Isolated terrain features have the potential to produce large avalanches. Steep, and unsupported terrain are the suspect slopes where avalanches are more likely to be triggered. Utilize snowpack testing such as hand sheer tests. Look for signs of cracking in the slab on small safe test slopes, as an inidicator that wind slab avalanches can happen.
(3/14/2024)
Easterly winds were moving a lot of snow on Thursday. Blowing snow plume over the top of Ball Butte.
Photo: Aaron Hartz