Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1–2
Air temperatures remained above freezing last night at all locations above the mountain valley floors. Air temperatures at mid and upper elevation locations did not get any colder than the 40s last night. Cloud cover last night combined with warm air temperatures made for poor overnight snow surface refreeze conditions in avalanche terrain. A thin, weak snow surface refreeze may or may not exist on open slopes early this morning. Areas under forest canopy will not have experienced a refreeze last night.
Wind and cloud cover is expected to slow snowmelt today. With little in the way of refreeze last night, it may not matter very much for the avalanche situation. There will be plenty of wet snow out there today for wet loose avalanches. The vast majority of wet loose avalanches that occur today will be triggered by backcountry travelers venturing into steep terrain. Cornice collapses could result in some isolated natural wet loose avalanches. When you encounter snow that is 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.
(4/10/2025)
Mid to high level cloud cover that began moving into the area yesterday is expected to have contributed to poor snow surface refreeze conditions last night.
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center