Loose Wet
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–1.5
We have entered the classic spring diurnal wet loose avalanche hazard cycle: Each day the upper snowpack warms and loses cohesion as temperatures climb, with wet loose avalanche hazard peaking in the afternoon. The snowpack stabilizes and resets each night as temperatures fall below freezing.
The key to navigating this cycle is to get an early start so you can ski and ride on cold stable snow and be off, and out from under, steep slopes when wet loose avalanches are more likely from mid-day onward.
Today, with the temperature forecast to peak just above freezing and cloud cover (which blocks solar radiation), wet loose avalanches are unlikely at upper and mid elevations. Nevertheless, pay attention to the surface snow and be prepared to move onto lower angle terrain if you see signs of instability like large gouging roller balls and snow that sticks to your skis and skins. On steep slopes it is possible to entrain the soft snow sitting on top of the crust, so be prepared to manage sluff. At lower elevations, where temperatures will be closer to 40°, wet loose avalanches are possible.
This weekend and into early next week temperatures are forecast to steadily raise, increasing the likelihood of wet loose avalanches each afternoon. Glide cracks have started to appear on various slopes, and cornices are starting to droop significantly. Give these features wide margins of safety as temperatures continue to rise.