Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Likely
- Size
- 3
It has been roughly 100 hours (4 days) since most mountain locations have had below-freezing temperatures with another day of warm temperatures ahead. Cloud cover, winds, and slightly cooler temperatures today should mean less warming, but the snowpack remains warm and wet with meltwater moving down through the snowpack. As this water trickles down, it loosens (weakens) the bonds, creating a weak snowpack structure where both natural and human-triggered avalanches can occur.
These wet avalanche types include:
- Wet Loose avalanches are likely on all aspects and elevations and may subsequently trigger wet slabs.
- Wet Slab avalanches are possible on many aspects and elevations, especially on steep northeast to southeast facing aspects. Crown depths may be 1-3' with very wide propagation.
- Cornices are sagging and may calve off, triggering avalanches below.
With no overnight refreezes, the usual spring protocol of an early start doesn't apply right now and it is best to all avalanche terrain until colder temperatures lock up the snowpack.
