Términos de Avalancha

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W

Weak Interface

A poor bond between two adjacent layers of snow.

Weak Layer

A snowpack layer with less strength than adjacent layers. Often the layer in the snowpack where an avalanche fractures.

Wet Snow Avalanche

An avalanche caused by snow losing its strength after becoming damp, moist or saturated with water.

Whumpf

When the fracture of a lower snow layer causes an upper layer to fall or collapse, making a whumpfing sound. This an obvious sign of instability. See Collapse.

Wind Loading

The added weight of wind drifted snow.

Wind Slab

A cohesive layer of snow formed when wind deposits snow onto leeward terrain. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow.

Windward

The upwind side of an obstacle such as a ridge. Usually snow is eroded from windward slopes making them relatively safer.