Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1–1.5
It was cloudy and warm last night, which generally makes poor conditions for a strong overnight snow surface refreeze. Partly to mostly cloudy skies today combined with well above freezing air temperatures may allow for surface wet snow formation to occur in areas that are normally shaded across NW-N-NE aspect terrain. Any light rain showers that occur today, will also contribute to surface wet snow formation in normally shaded areas. Less cloud cover may occur today across the southern portion of the forecast area, allowing for surface wet snow development on sun exposed, wind protected slopes. Strong SW winds are expected to keep problematic amounts of wet snow from forming on open wind exposed slopes.
Use active roller balls and pinwheels as indications of potentially unstable surface wet snow development. Any avalanches that occur today are expected to be small and shallow. The hazard could be magnified if you are pushed into down slope hazards such as rocks, trees, terrain traps, or over a cliff. Exercise caution if choosing to travel in steep terrain with signs of wet snow present.
(2/22/2025) Yesterday's wet loose instability was mainly on sun exposed slopes. Today, we may see a shift to wet snow formation on previously shaded slopes.
A size D1 wet loose avalanche that occurred yesterday in SE aspect terrain on Incline Peak, NV. Photo: Public