Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Reactive wind slabs persist in steep northerly terrain and may be remotely triggered due to the underlying surface hoar layer.
Use extra caution on high north-facing slopes, and around cornices, especially if the sun comes out.
Avalanches on steep, rocky slopes could be surprisingly large.
Reactive wind slabs persist in steep northerly terrain and may be remotely triggered due to the underlying surface hoar layer.
With the spring sun packing a punch, be especially aware of your exposure to slopes below cornices during the heat of the afternoon.
On Monday, near White Pass, a large (size 2) human triggered slab avalanche was reported on a northwest aspect in the alpine (at 1800 m). It is suspected to have failed on or stepped down to a layer of weak, feathery surface hoar.
On Friday, a skier remotely triggered a size 2 wind slab on a north-facing slope at 1900 m, failing on a surface hoar layer about 50 cm deep. A similar avalanche was reported just outside the region in an area with a comparable snowpack.
A variety of surfaces exist across aspects and elevations. Firm, supportive crusts are present at lower elevations and on sun-exposed slopes; these may soften in the daytime sun.
In higher-elevation terrain sheltered from sun and wind, roughly 10 cm of recent snow overlies a mix of older, wind-affected surfaces.
A weak layer of surface hoar persists 50 to 70 cm below the surface in northerly alpine terrain.
The lower snowpack remains faceted and generally weak, especially in shallow snowpack areas.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy. 20 km/h east ridgetop wind, dropping to calm in the middle of the night. Treeline low -7 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind, increasing to 30 km/h through the day. Treeline high -5 °C.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.