Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 1
Rapid warming of new snow from the past 36 hours will allow for loose wet avalanche activity to occur today in sun exposed areas at all elevations. Avalanche activity will likely be both natural and human triggered today. While loose wet avalanche activity may be fairly widespread today in steep terrain, avalanche size is expected at D1 to D1.5. An isolated size D2 avalanche is not impossible on slopes where long vertical runs are possible. With the increasingly higher sun angle of spring, increasing amounts of loose wet instability are expected on NW-N-NE aspects in addition to the expected instability on the usual E-SE-S-SW-W aspects.
Consequences from a small size D1 avalanche will come from secondary terrain hazards. This means being pushed into rocks, trees, over cliffs, or into terrain traps by what would otherwise be an inconsequential avalanche in simpler terrain. Rollerballs and pinwheels will be the indicators that loose wet instability is present. Use low angle slopes to reduce the hazard as needed. Plan appropriately for the timing of travel in sun exposed avalanche terrain and exit steep terrain before daytime warming creates problematic instability.