Small Wind Slabs on Mt. Judah

Wind slabs were forming today on N-E aspects in wind prone areas.  These wind slabs were very easy to trigger with a small ski kick in the morning hours and were all failing on the density change from the newly formed wind slabs and the old low density snow.  In the more exposed areas these wind slabs got up to 40cm deep by late morning.  All of these avalanches were small, D1, and posed little risk to backcountry users at the time of my observations.  SW winds increased from moderate in the morning hours to strong in the mid day hours moving much more snow with plenty of low density snow for transport.  These windslabs are expected to increase greatly in size as the day continues and pose more risk to backcountry users.

Photo #1 and #2:  Small windslabs intentionally triggered off of Wildflower Ridge.  7800', north aspect, 35-40 degree slope.  20-25cm deep.

Photo #3 and #4:  Small windslabs intentionally triggered off of the East Face of Mt. Judah, 8200', East aspect, 35 degrees.  30-40cm deep.

Video:  PST 60/100 END on the 12/2 facet layer.  7800' on a 35 degree slope, north aspect on Wildflower Ridge.  HS=260cm

Snow coverage is thin below 7500'.