Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Air temperatures were above freezing last night for most locations below about 8,500' to 9,000'. Another decent but superficial snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night on open slopes despite above freezing air temperatures due to radiational cooling of the snowpack under clear skies. The snow surface will likely not have refrozen well under areas of thick forest canopy. Substantial wind today is expected to provide convective cooling of the snow surface and slow melt rates in wind exposed areas. The majority of these slow to melt areas will exist near treeline and above treeline. Wind protected and sun exposed slopes will experience snow surface melt today. Most of these quicker to melt slopes will be found below treeline.
Once more than a couple of inches of surface wet snow forms, wet loose avalanches that start small and then gain size with vertical run will be possible on all aspects. Avalanche size is expected at D1 to D2 depending on size of the slope. Terrain traps such as creek beds or cliffs could easily allow for burial or injury from what would otherwise be a size D1 avalanche.
Slope angle is the easy way to manage this avalanche problem as most wet loose avalanches will occur on slopes 35 degrees and steeper. Once surface wet snow develops, roller balls and pinwheels are indications that unstable conditions are present. Move to slopes less than 30 to 35 degrees in slope angle without steeper slopes above to minimize exposure to this avalanche problem.