Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Air temperatures remained above freezing last night in most locations above the mountain valley floors. With clear skies, a superficial snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred as a product of radiational cooling. This thin refreeze will be strongest on open slopes, especially above about 8,500'. Areas under forest canopy may not have refrozen last night.
The refrozen snow surface is expected to melt quickly today, due to light winds and daytime air temperatures expected in the upper 50s to mid 60s. The vast majority of wet loose avalanches that occur today will be triggered by backcountry travelers. Cornice collapses could result in some isolated natural wet loose avalanches.
For travel in avalanche terrain today, start early and end early. Monitor the changing snow surface as melt progresses. Once the surface refreeze from last night is gone, wet loose avalanches can occur. Once the snow becomes wet and unsupportable, or you can sink boot top deep into wet snow, it's time to exit avalanche terrain and opt for lower angle slopes.
(4/6/2025) Recent wet loose avalanches on Donner Peak, CA.
Photo: Public