Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1.5–3
Several feet of recent snowfall has fallen on a weak snow interface. This interface is now buried beneath a slab of snow that is 2-4 feet thick and, if triggered, can propagate across large distances and make escape impossible. Obvious signs of instability, such as cracking, collapsing, or recent natural avalanche activity, are not likely to present themselves before triggering a large avalanche. Entering terrain over 35 degrees will increase the odds of triggering an avalanche today. Keep terrain choices simple by sticking to lower-angled terrain and be especially wary of the creekbeds and flat terrain that create unsurvivable terrain traps.
Weak snow near the base of the snowpack lurks 2-5 feet below the surface. New snow and wind are stressing these weak layers. Avalanches involving these layers could occur with a significant trigger, such as a large wind slab avalanche, a passing snowmobile, or a group gathered below a slope.