Persistent Slabs
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 2–3
Several weak layers of faceted snow can be found in the Teton snowpack, and they vary significantly across the landscape. Buried surface hoar and near surface facets, along with faceted snow surrounding crusts, are present in the snowpack. In the higher elevations, faceted snow that developed early in the season is deeply buried and rounding. While these deep layers are difficult to trigger, the resulting persistent slab avalanches have depths ranging from two to five feet and carry high consequences. Large triggers, such as snowmobiles, are more likely to trigger these deadly slabs. The basal weak layers are more easily impacted in the shallower mid elevation snowpack, and this problem extends down into the lower elevations. In these areas, slab depths are likely to be between one and three feet. Conservative terrain choices are the best tool to manage this hazard.