Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–1.5
Although there have been minimal reports and observations of Wet Loose avalanche activity over the past few days, it is hard to ignore the high temperatures we are seeing, including a slight warming trend from Friday into Saturday. Consistent valley inversions have made for rather sporadic overnight temperatures, with elevations above ~6500 ft not seeing below-freezing air temps. Radiational cooling of the snow surface has allowed enough of a surface re-freeze for this Wet Loose hazard to start the morning at a Low danger rating. That being said, it won't take long for the day to heat up and surface snow to get slushy in the sun. When this happens, it will become possible to trigger wet loose avalanches on steep solar slopes (SE - SW).
It is unlikely that you will trigger an avalanche large enough to bury or injure a rider, but even small Wet Loose avalanches can easily knock you off your feet. The heavy snow characteristic of these avalanches can make slides difficult to escape from, and therefore they can have especially high consequence in the presenece of terrain traps. Roller balling, pinwheels, and recent avalanche activity are great warnings that current timing may be in line with a wet loose problem. When in doubt, seek shaded terrain or low angle slopes.
(1/15/2026)
Pinwheels were easy to trigger on steep sunny slopes near Three Finger Jack on Thursday.
Photo: Elliott Reed