Loose Wet
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Pay attention to changes in the snow surface today as it progresses from firm and frozen to soft and melted. Once the snow surface has melted, if that surface wet snow becomes more than a couple of inches deep, or if it starts to feel unsupportable, consider opting for non-avalanche terrain. Small wet snow sluffs or sinking boot-top-deep into wet snow indicate that larger, wet loose avalanches could occur.
With air temperature inversion conditions in place, above freezing overnight low air temperatures at the mid and upper elevations were around 3 to 7 degrees warmer last night than the night before. Above the mountain valley floors, overnight snow surface refreeze is becoming increasingly reliant on radiational cooling of the snowpack under clear skies rather than from below freezing air temperatures. Across E-S-W aspects that underwent significant melt yesterday, a thinner but still decent snow surface refreeze is expected to have occurred last night on open slopes. A comparatively weaker refreeze is expected under the forest canopy, where overnight radiational cooling of the snowpack is more inhibited.
Today, warm air temperatures and sunshine will work to melt the refreeze, allowing wet snow to form on sun exposed slopes. Any wet loose avalanches that occur today will likely remain small. However, they could become large on long, steep slopes, where they entrain more snow as they travel downhill. With sun angles and air temperatures increasing, small amounts of snow surface melt are expected on lower angle northerly aspects. Steeper, shaded northerly aspects may remain firm and frozen all day.
(3/10/2026)
Overnight refreeze of the snow surface is superficial and only a few inches thick at best on sun exposed slopes. Residual wet snow that does not refreeze overnight exists below the surface crust. As the surface crust melts away, deep wet snow is exposed, and the potential for wet loose avalanches increases.
Jakes Peak, West Shore Tahoe area.
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center