Loose Wet
- Hochgebirge
- Waldgrenze
- Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
- Wahrscheinlichkeit
- Possible
- Größe
- 1–2
Cloud cover may have weakened last night's snow surface refreeze. Air temperatures remained above freezing last night in nearly all areas, making any snow surface refreeze reliant on radiational cooling of the snowpack. Cloud cover disrupts this refreeze process. Conditions conducive to wet, loose avalanches may develop earlier today due to a weaker refreeze.
Anticipate that last night's refreeze might be thinner, weaker, and melt more quickly today. Pay attention to the terrain and changes in conditions as you travel. Clues like sinking into boot-top deep wet snow, roller balls, a loss of supportability at the snow surface, and wet snow sluffs indicate that conditions are prime for backcountry travelers to trigger wet loose avalanches. Once the snow feels wet and mushy, it's time to exit avalanche terrain.
Cornice fall remains a lingering concern in some areas. In locations where large and overhung cornices exist along ridgelines, they will continue to melt, weaken, and possibly collapse.
The snow surface will lose supportability as the crust formed overnight on the snow surface melts away. Once the crust melts enough to expose the residual wet snow below that does not refreeze overnight, larger wet loose avalanches are possible.
(4/17/2024) Open E aspect slope near 8,000' on Andesite Peak, Donner Summit, CA.
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center