Loose Wet
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Following the cold start to this morning, wet loose avalanches will become possible again today. This problem is expected mainly in areas below about 8,500'. Prior to the expected increase in cloud cover, the strong April sunshine will warm the snow surface, leading to instability. Expect wet snow instability to develop first on slopes with direct sun exposure. This avalanche problem may spread to other slopes as the day progresses depending on the extent of building cloud cover. The sun angle is high enough this time of year to allow incoming solar radiation to affect northerly aspects.
The development of roller balls and pinwheels, whether natural or human triggered, indicates that wet loose avalanches are possible. Once signs of wet snow instability develop, you can move to low angle terrain to avoid this avalanche problem. Keep in mind the potential for long running wet loose avalanches on longer slopes with sustained slope angles steeper than about 35 degrees.
(4/6/2024)
Skiers triggered these wet snow sluffs on SE aspect terrain near 7,600' around midday. The terrain wasn't quite steep enough to produce wet loose avalanches, but the snowpack was prime to do so. Silver Peak, Pole Creek, CA
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center