Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
Below normal temperatures and light to moderate northerly winds combined with an expected increase in cloud cover by midday should keep wet snow instabilities to a minimum. However, some short periods of intense April sunshine this morning may cause enough warming for some wet snow to form. Some small human-triggered roller balls, pinwheels, and loose wet avalanches are possible in isolated areas on steep slopes that do receive sunshine this morning. Some of them could still entrain enough snow to cause problems for backcountry travelers. If the cloud cover materializes before midday, loose wet instabilities may be unlikely. If periods of sun continue into the afternoon, loose wet instabilities could become larger and more widespread.
Conditions can change quickly from cold soft snow to sunny warm unstable snow as soon as the sun hits the snow surface. If the snow starts to feel wet and sticky or small signs of loose wet instabilities like small roller balls or pinwheels start to occur, it is time relocate to a colder aspect. Shaded N aspects should experience the least warming and have the best potential for preserving some patches of colder snow.