Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
If you do not find a supportable melt-freeze crust to travel on early Friday morning, you'll need to consider changing your plans and avoiding steep slopes. Warm overnight temperatures, especially at lower and middle elevations on Thursday night, will increase the threat of wet avalanches going into Friday. Some slopes may not see a refreeze of the snow surface. To reduce your risk of wet avalanches, start and end your day early.
Once the snow gets wet, head to slopes with cooler snow or return to the trailhead. When the surface crust melts, most southerly slopes will be dangerous. Continue to be cautious around cornices. They can break much further back than expected, and they can trigger a large avalanche when they fall onto a slope.
Support these forecasts and avalanche education programming across Colorado by donating to Friends of CAIC’s Spring Gear Giveaway Fundraiser through April 1. Donate Now!