Avalanches
Wind slab (fokksnø)
This avalanche problem arises when wind moves snow and forms slabs in lee areas. The stronger the wind, the harder the slab — and the higher the risk of a slab avalanche.
This avalanche problem arises when the wind moves snow during a snowfall, or when snow already lying on the ground is transported by the wind. This forms slabs (fokksnø) in lee areas. The stronger the wind, the harder the slabs become.
Typical formations in the snow that indicate the wind has formed slabs in the snow surface. Photo: Varsom.
Be observant of such signs in the snow surface — a risk of wind slab that can trigger an avalanche if there is fresh snow underneath forming the weak layer.
Learn more about avalanche problems and danger signs
Wet snow · Shooting cracks · Lots of water in the snow · Rapid temperature rise
Sources: Varsom.no — NVE’s avalanche warning service. · NVE (2021). Skredproblem: Fokksnø [Video clip]. https://youtu.be/Ny9DNprqTBs