Loose Wet
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
Today, as temperatures bump a few degrees warmer, wet loose avalanches will be possible on W-SW-S-SE-E aspects below and near treeline. Particular emphasis should be on exposed solar slopes, and slopes below or adjacent to rock outcrops. Over the last few days, though temperatures have continued to rise, significant wet loose avalanche activity has not been observed. But as the warming trend continues, and overnight temperatures remain above freezing, the likelihood of activity also rises. These slides present as point release avalanches, often triggered by rockfall, snow melt, or a ski cut. While these avalanches may not be large enough to bury a person, the heavy, wet debris can easily knock someone off their feet and send them into hazardous terrain. Look for roller balls, sticky surface snow, failing test slopes, and increasing boot penetration as signs of a warming snowpack. The best way to combat this issue is to avoid solar slopes before peak daytime temperatures.
(12/30/2023)
Wet Loose Avalanche (12.30.23)
Photo: Samuel Clairmont