Wind slab refers to the release of a slab formed by wind drifted snow on which locations?

• A. Windward slopes only
• B. On flat ground
• C. Cross loaded gullies on leeward sides of ridges
• D. Leeward sides of ridges and cross loaded gullies

Answer: (D)

Wind slab forms when wind-driven snow is deposited on surfaces sheltered from the wind, mainly on the lee (downwind) sides of terrain features. On ridges, the wind piles snow onto the leeward slopes, creating cohesive slabs that can fail. In gullies, the wind can cross-load the slope, filling the gully and loading it from the side, which also creates wind slabs. Windward slopes are typically scoured and receive less wind-deposited snow, and flat ground lacks the slope needed for a wind slab to release. So the wind slab is most likely on the leeward sides of ridges and in cross-loaded gullies.