Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Cloud cover, some rain, and above-freezing temperatures last night should have prevented much of yesterday's wet snow from refreezing. If a refreeze did occur in some places, it likely remained thin, superficial, and won't stay frozen for very long this morning. More warm weather and potential rain today will keep wet loose avalanches possible on all aspects. In some areas, enough melting may occur to expose the deeper wet snow below the recent refreeze crusts. Long, steep slopes can produce larger wet loose avalanches, but smaller wet loose avalanches can still have consequences in areas with terrain traps like cliffs or creeks. Rain could also weaken some of the cornices that linger along many ridgelines.
Due to the poor overnight refreeze, many slopes may not have the period of supportability that typically happens on spring mornings. Expect wet and mushy snow on most slopes today. Sinking into boot-top deep wet snow, roller balls, and pinwheels can indicate larger, wet loose avalanches can occur. If the snow feels wet and unsupportable or it's raining, it's time to move away from avalanche terrain onto less steep slopes.
(4/15/2025)
Debris from a recent wet loose avalanche in Cathedral Bowl on Mt. Tallac. It looked like enough debris to injure/partially bury a person.