Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
Conditions were ideal last night for snow surface refreeze with air temperatures below freezing and clear skies for radiational cooling. As daytime warming occurs, snow surface melt will become sufficient for loose wet avalanches. The vast majority of loose wet avalanches today are expected to be human triggered and occur on E-SE-S-SW-W aspects. Loose wet avalanches will occur to a lesser extent on NW-N-NE aspects, mainly at low and mid elevations. Avalanche size is expected at D1 with size D2 possible in isolated areas.
Timing and route options are key to managing this avalanche problem during backcountry travel in avalanche terrain. Steep sun exposed slopes will become increasingly unstable during the late morning through afternoon hours. Get into and out of sun exposed avalanche terrain early in the day. If you find yourself late for the ideal timing of travel, encountering surface wet snow with rollerballs and/or pinwheels, exercise route options that reduce avalanche hazard via low angle terrain choices.