Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Unlikely
- Size
- 1–1.5
We're not quite out of the woods yet. Today's weather will help but not eliminate the chance of wet-loose avalanches on steep open slopes, especially near shallow spots like rock outcroppings and along convex rollovers. Have a safety buffer when exploring high-stakes terrain, as even small bits of moving snow could knock riders off their feet and grow larger than expected in size. Surfaces that experienced a superficial freeze overnight will begin to thaw on steep, exposed slopes as the day advances. Three days have allowed time for water to soak and drain into the snowpack. Though the sun may not be able to cause as much radiant heating, the snowpack is still wet from previous rain and will continue to soften under the influence of warm temperatures. Avoid areas where snow is easily penetrable to the knee and observe for sings of warming such as, roller balls and pinwheels. You can reduce your risk by traveling in terrain less than 35 degrees, or on shadier aspects, holding less penetrable snow. Ski-cutting inconsequential test slopes is a great way to gauge the potential for this problem.
(1/23/2024)
Roller balls indicate wet snow becoming unstable in steep terrain around rock outcroppings.
Photo: Eric Falconer