Wet slab avalanche risk: Rain falls on snowpack in the West
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Warm rain on snowpack can trigger wet slab avalanches this winterMost people think avalanche danger comes from fresh snow, but avalanches need a weak layer in the snowpack plus a trigger. When rain falls on snow, or temperatures spike, meltwater loosens the bond between snow layers. That can release wet slab avalanches, which can break wide with little warning and run into terrain that normally feels safe.(MORE: Widespread snow blankets resorts from California to Montana)Rain triggers a wet slab avalancheA wet slab avalanche happens when water works its way down through the snowpack and weakens a layer buried below the surface. The snow above that layer, the slab, can then release all at once. Rain makes this more likely in two ways:First, it adds weight to the slab. Second, the meltwater it creates can loosen the bonds that hold snow layers together. The result is a heavy slab sitting on a weaker layer, with nothing holding it in place. Get More of Our News on GoogleSet The Weather Company as a 'Preferred Source' to get quicker access to the news you value. Wet slabs are harder to predict than many other avalanche types.
This article is an excerpt. To read the full content, visit the original source. The Weather Channel
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