Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Recent strong southerly winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in lee features in the alpine and treeline.
There are very few field observations coming from this forecast area. Submit a MIN if you head out!
Uncertainty around buried weak layers is best managed with conservative terrain choices.
Recent strong southerly winds have formed wind slabs on a variety of aspects in lee features in the alpine and treeline.
A layer of surface hoar is down 50 to 90 cm and is still concerning where a significant crust is not found above it.
Weak basal facets may exist in some areas. This layer is most concerning in shallow alpine areas.
Over the weekend in the neighbouring region to the east, many large (size 2 to 3) natural and rider-triggered (some remotely triggered) persistent and deep persistent slabs were reported in the alpine and treeline.
We are unsure if the same deep persistent slab problem exists in this region, and this uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices.
Moving forward, natural avalanche activity may taper, but large human-triggered slabs remain possible.
Recent strong winds have created heavily wind-affected surfaces in the alpine and treeline. Below treeline a new crust is on or near the surface.
The mid pack contains several layers of note; a layer of surface hoar and a crust down 20 to 40 cm, a significant crust from the early December rain event down around 50 cm and a layer of surface hoar down 50 to 90 cm.
The make up of the lower snowpack is variable throughout the region, in shallower snowpack areas, basal facets may exist.
Wednesday Night
Mainly cloudy. Southeast alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Thursday
Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries. South alpine wind 25 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind 15 to 30 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud, no new snow. Southeast alpine wind 40 to 60 km/h. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.