Loose Wet
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
- Probabilità
- Likely
- Dimensione
- 1–1.5
Last night was a warm one, with the Castle Lake weather station recording a low of 44° Fahrenheit and the weather station on Gray Butte recording a low of 39° Fahrenheit. Today will be slightly cooler, though mountain temperatures will still climb back up into the upper 40s to lower 50s.
As the sun warms the surface, melt-water works its way through the snowpack, it can exploit any weak layers and trigger an avalanche that starts small and then grows as it entrains more wet snow moving downslope. These avalanches can be small yet mighty, as they could carry you over hazardous terrain such as a section of cliffs or down into trees.
If you observe roller balls or if you're sinking deep into wet snow when you step off your sled, skis, or board, this is a big indicator that wet loose instability is on the rise. Traveling in avalanche terrain earlier on in the day will reduce your exposure to wet loose avalanches.
(4/5/2025)
Hula-hoop sized roller ball
Photo: Cory Beattie