Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
A mix of snow surfaces, including crusts, wind-textured snow, and smooth snow, exists across the area. Conditions will change quickly as the day warms up, and what was frozen this morning becomes wet and mushy. When the snow starts feeling unsupportable, or you start sinking up to your boot-tops in wet snow, it's time to consider moving away from avalanche terrain. Roller balls, pinwheels, and small sluffs of wet loose snow can also indicate that larger wet loose avalanches may soon occur.
Clear skies and slightly cooler temperatures last night should have produced a slightly better refreeze. Still, this refreeze will not last long in the face of today's sunny, warm weather. The snow could go from firm and frozen to wet and unsupportable in a short period of time. Once the surface crust melts and wet snow forms, wet loose avalanches will be possible on steep slopes. Small wet loose avalanches could become larger wet loose avalanches on long, steep slopes as they entrain more snow while sliding downhill. Keep in mind that even small avalanches can have increased consequences in exposed terrain.
(4/6/2026)
Pinwheels and small sluffs like these on Tamarack Peak yesterday are signs of developing wet loose avalanche potential.
E apect terrain near 9,800'. Tamarack Peak, NV
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center