Loose Wet
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Very Likely
- Größe
- 2
With wet snow, it’s a balance - the initial shock of sun and heating on the dry, cold snow is over, so normally wet loose avalanche activity would decrease. But today’s 10 to 15 degree head start on heating will keep wet snow active.
Today’s Wet Snow avalanche activity is PREDICTABLE and AVOIDABLE. As the day heats and the sun hits the slopes, it’s guaranteed the snow become wet, loose and sloppy. You will be able to triggered wet loose sluffs on steep slopes and some natural wet snow avalanches will occur.
Avoidance: when the snow becomes wet, move off steep slopes to lower angle terrain. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid travel beneath steep slopes and gullies. Plan your exits carefully to avoid steep terrain at the mid and low elevations, especially gullies and drainages. Even small wet sluffs pack a punch, and can push you around or take you for a ride down slope or into trees. Start early and finish early.
With a multi-day “heat wave” in progress, roofs will shed their remaining snow and cornices will become more sensitive and avoid travel below glide cracks.