Fernie experienced a few large wet avalanches this past weekend following a few days of rain up to higher elevations. Wet slides occur when warm temperatures or rain melt the surface snow layers and saturate them with water. The water weakens the bonds between layers and avalanches often occur. Wet avalanches move more slowly than dry avalanches but they can still be very dangerous:
– If temperatures have been above freezing for extended periods then wet avalanches will most likely occur
– If you are sinking into wet snow up to your ankles while you are on skis or a board, the snow is wet and prone to avalanche
– If you squeeze a hand full of snow and it makes your glove wet or if water literally drips out of the snow, the snow may be prone to avalanche
Here is the Southern Rockies Avalanche team’s report:
