Wet Loose avalanches are likely at all elevations and on all aspects. If the snow surface becomes wet and you're sinking into the snow, conditions are ripe for wet loose avalanches. If you see these conditions, choose terrain less than 30 degrees and avoid slopes with terrain traps where these small but heavy slides could push you down.
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As the day warms up expect wet loose avalanches. Look for rollerballs and pinwheels as clues that this problem is developing. If you're sinking up to your boot tops in wet snow, that's a sure sign conditions are primed for wet loose activity.
Photo: Nick Burks
No danger rating has been issued for the lowest elevation band in the Blues (3000'-4000') due to the lack of snow in that zone. If we receive significant low elevation snow we will begin forecasting for that zone again.
The persistent slab problem has been dropped from our list of avalanche problems. The snowpack in the Blues is well consolidated from the top to bottom. The weak sugary snow from this Fall/early Winter has been moistened, compressed, and capped by very dense crusts. You can read and watch more about conditions in the Blues here.
Daytime temperatures have been at or above freezing since Monday the 19th. Early this morning temperatures have dipped down below freezing. These warm temperatures will have consolidated the snow from the storm beginning on Valentine's Day. There is a thin melt-freeze crust on all aspects. Today is going to be warm with temperatures in the low 40's and strong sun. These conditions will make the main concern wet snow avalanches. Rollerballs and pinwheels on steep slopes or around rocks are the first signs this problem is developing. While these slides won't be large they are heavy and could carry you to places you don't want to be. If you see these conditions develop choose less steep terrain and slopes without terrain traps (gullies, trees, cliffs, creeks).
