Wet avalanches can release from a single point (Wet Loose) or as a cohesive slab (Wet Slab). They can occur from rain on snow, strong sunshine, or warm temperatures. Although wet snow avalanches are typically slower than dry snow avalanches, they can move very quickly in steep and constrained terrain and they produce very dense and destructive debris.

Accidents dealing with wet snow are often attributed to misjudging the timing of natural avalanches or underestimating the danger of getting caught in slow-moving wet snow debris.

We almost always get winter-like snowstorms well into the spring in the Uintas. Treat each storm just like you would in winter. Both loose snow and slab avalanches can occur within the new snow due to wind or from heavier new snow falling on top of lighter new snow.

It's easy to test things on the fly as you travel by riding or skiing on small test slopes to see if they crack, collapse or avalanche, or by digging down with your hand to see how well the new snow is bonding to what's beneath it.

Wind can rapidly load snow onto steep slopes, 10x faster than it can fall out of the sky, making drifted slopes more prone to avalanching.

Look for and avoid signs of wind-drifted snow, such as rounded pillow features, look for shooting cracks, and listen if things sound hollow like a drum under our rigs and rides.