Loose Wet
- Alta montaña
- Límite del bosque
- Bajo el límite del bosque
- Probabilidad
- Possible
- Tamaño
- 1–1.5
Travel plans built around terrain, timing, and observations can help reduce exposure to possible unstable wet snow. Observe the snow constantly during the day. Once it starts to feel wet or unsupportable, it's time to finish your on-the-snow activities or switch to recreating on more mellow terrain away from avalanche terrain. Small wet snow sluffs and sinking into boot-top-deep wet snow can indicate that larger, wet loose avalanches may soon occur.
Some clouds and warm overnight temperatures likely prevented much of a refreeze in many places last night. Whatever refreeze may have occurred will not last long. The strong March sun and daytime highs climbing into the 60s will quickly melt through any surface crusts, forming a layer of wet loose snow. As the day warms up, this layer of wet snow will grow deeper, and wet loose avalanches will be possible, especially on the sunniest slopes. Many wet loose avalanches may remain small since the snowpack has already undergone so many melt-freeze cycles, forming channels that let water drain through the snow. Still, a few could be large, especially on long, steep slopes, where they could entrain more snow as they slide downhill. Keep in mind that even a small avalanche could have increased consequences in exposed terrain. Remaining cornices that have not yet collapsed or drooped over will be suspect during this heat wave as well.
(3/14/2026)
This is an example of a wet loose avalanche on Mt Tallac. It likely occurred about two weeks ago, but it can still be seen from South Lake Tahoe at certain angles.
Photo: Mark Speicher