Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Warm temperatures, ample sunshine, and light winds will increase your ability to trigger wet avalanches at lower elevations. If the snow surface isn't frozen, or you are sinking into the snowpack, avoid slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Steep, rocky, sunny slopes are the most likely places to trigger a slide. Start early and end early to reduce your risk of wet avalanches. Loose avalanches could trigger slabs. Northeast and northwest slopes have the most concerning structure for wet slab activity.
A better overnight freeze above 11,000 feet after a period of strong wind will decrease the chances of triggering wet avalanches above treeline. Monitor the snow surface for signs of wetting, as even a small avalanche can be dangerous in the wrong terrain.