Wind Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 2
Sustained winds from the west will build slabs of wind-drifted snow in exposed terrain. If you see snow pluming off ridges, that is a sign of wind loading.
- Watch for and avoid stiffer wind-drifted snow on the lee side of major ridges, below cornices, and in and around terrain features like cliff bands, sub-ridges, and gully walls.
- Wind slabs appear smooth, chalky, and rounded, and they can sound hollow, like a drum, when you move around on them.
- Cracking is a red flag indicating unstable snow.
- Hard wind slabs sometimes let you get out on them before releasing suddenly, while freshly formed, softer wind slabs are often very easily triggered, sometimes remotely (or from a distance).
- High snowfall rates may cause loose dry avalanches on steep slopes.