Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
Strong southeast winds 30-40 mph, gusting 40-70mph at 4500' for the last 24 hours, coupled with 2 inches of new snow over the last 24 hours, have built small WIND SLABS that will be possible to human trigger on west to northeast aspects above 2500' today. Natural avalanches are unlikely. With "little to none" available snow for transport prior to yesterday's new snow, expect slabs to be shallow, 2 to 6 inches thick. New winds slabs are not likely to bond well to existing firm bed surfaces. This problem is expected to become stubborn and unreactive within 24 to 48 hours after the wind diminishes.
Use hand pits and pole probes to identify wind slabs. Look for hard snow sitting over weaker snow, smooth and rounded or lens shaped features. Shooting cracks or whumping are signs of instability and indicators of this avalanche problem.
As always, we recommend carrying the appropriate rescue gear and knowing how to use it. Safe travel techniques are important every time we travel in avalanche terrain. This means spreading out when ascending slopes, descending one at a time, and regrouping well outside the runout zone.
With the weather turning from spring back to winter, and the lack of any other avalanche problems, the biggest concerns other than triggering a wind slab will be the hazard of travelling and/or falling on firm surfaces in many locations, especially windward aspects and scoured features. Conditions are dire to say the least, especially after the current wind regime. Expect Hatcher's to look like a combination of a war zone and the moon, with most terrain either scoured down to rock, firm as ice, or harnessing new winds slabs.
A little hope… an additional 1" of snow is forecasted throughout the day today, with 3-4" in the forecast through early morning Friday.
Wind have transported the little snow available and loaded leeward aspects, as seen here on top of Marmot at 3am this morning.
Photo: HPAC