Wet Slabs
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Likely
- Größe
- 1–2
Two consecutive days of warm, sunny weather coupled with poor overnight freezes have made wet avalanches a legitimate concern. This includes both wet loose and wet slab avalanches or a combination of both. Melt water is working its way through the snowpack, destabilizing buried weak layers and lubricating sliding surfaces. Wet slab avalanches will become possible later in the day when the amount of free water in the snowpack peaks. These avalanches have the potential to be large, destructive, and fail in surprising ways. Additionally, the high mid-April sun angle is now impacting northerly slopes. Wet loose activity is likely on steep shaded slopes that have recently become wet. Carefully evaluate the snowpack as it becomes wet and unsupportable. This transition will happen fast today. Given the potential for natural wet avalanches, it is also important to consider the terrain that is above you. Consider exiting the mountains if you are sinking into wet, slushy snow.
Cornice Falls: The continued warm, sunny weather is destabilizing the large cornices that have built up over the season. It is possible to trigger failure by stepping out onto these features, or they may fail naturally. A big cornice fall has the potential to trigger a large, destructive avalanche on the buried weak layers that persist near the base of the snowpack. While this is unlikely, a recent natural slide on The Wedge demonstrates that this risk still exists.
Temperature profiles for mid and upper elevation weather stations at JHMR. Note the above freezing temperatures for the past 48 hours.
Photo: Inversion Labs