Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 2
There is still a lot of new snow on all slopes in the backcountry and once warm temperatures and sun hit this new snow, it immediately becomes wet and begins to produce wet avalanche activity. When I was traveling on the Park City Ridgeline, yesterday, I saw many small wet-loose avalanches and rollerballs on all aspects as soon as the sun came out.
Another day with warm temperatures, broken skies, and potentially rain will quickly cause the snow on all aspects and elevations to become warm and wet. Natural and human triggered loose wet sloughs will become likely as the slopes warm. These usually start at your feet and fan out below you. HOWEVER, watch out for these slides happening naturally especially if you are in a gully or any confined terrain where a small one could pile up deeply. Look for signs of wet snow like rollerballs.
Photo of wet activity on Mt. Raymond yesterday, in the Central Wasatch - point releases and roller balls are a sign of wet snow. (Photo: Manship)
