Loose Wet
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Possible
- Dimensione
- 1–2
Even though temperatures remained above freezing in most places, enough heat should have escaped from the snowpack into the mostly clear night sky for the snow surface to refreeze. Increased winds and a few clouds may help this refreeze last a bit longer today. Still, strong sun and warm weather should melt through the refrozen surface crust, exposing a deep layer of wet snow. Wet loose avalanches will be possible once the refreeze crust melts. Long steep slopes can produce larger wet snow avalanches, but smaller wet loose avalanches can still have consequences in areas with terrain traps like cliffs or creeks. The warm weather may also weaken some of the remaining cornices that exist near ridgelines.
Snow conditions could change from firm and supportable to wet and mushy in a short period of time. Pay attention to the terrain and conditions as you travel. Clues like sinking into boot-top deep wet snow, roller balls, and pinwheels can indicate larger, wet loose avalanches may soon occur. Once the snow starts feeling wet and mushy, it's time to move away from avalanche terrain.
(4/15/2024)
This small skier-triggered wet loose avalanche likely occurred on April 12th.
Photo: Sierra Avalanche Center