Loose Wet
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
- Likelihood
- Possible
- Size
- 1
Solar warmth will cause the surface snow to become damp, prone to producing loose, wet avalanches that entrain the new snow. On sustained slopes, these could produce good-sized piles of heavy cement-like debris.
- Rapid warming, roller balls, pinwheels, and wet sluffs or small point-release avalanches are red flags indicating unstable wet snow.
- Avoid travel on or under steep slopes with saturated surface snow. Stay off steep slopes above terrain traps like trees, sinks, gullies, or rock bands that small wet avalanches could sweep you into.