Loose Wet
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–1.5
A decent but superficial snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night, especially on open slopes. This followed several days of little to no overnight refreeze at the mid and upper elevations. Mountain valley floors where cold air pooled overnight will have the strongest refreeze. Higher up on the peaks air temperatures were in the upper 30s to mid 40s overnight, making snow surface refreeze fully reliant on radiational cooling of the snow surface under clear skies. As a result, there may be some areas under forest canopy away from valley floors where last night's refreeze is very weak. NW-N-NE aspect terrain steep enough for wet loose avalanches is expected to remain shaded and frozen all day today due to the still fairly low late January sun angle.
Once the crust on the snow surface melts away across sun exposed E-SE-S-SW-W aspect terrain, expect wet loose instability to develop. Remember that small wet loose avalanches can push you into rocks, trees, terrain traps, or over cliffs. Make terrain selections accordingly.
(1/28/2024)
Triggering pinwheels and small sluffs of loose wet snow are indications that a wet loose problem is present. SE aspect terrain, Silver Peak, Pole Creek area, CA
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center