Glossary

Loose Wet Avalanche

Credit
Raven Eye Photography

Numerous loose wet avalanches can be seen in this photo triggered by solar warming.

Loose wet avalanches are a type of loose snow avalanche composed of wet or moist snow. They occur when surface snow loses strength due to melting. 

Because of their high density, wet loose avalanches tend to contain greater mass and are often more difficult to fight against than loose dry avalanches

In periods of prolonged melt or rainfall, loose wet avalanches can become very large and destructive. These events are most common later in the winter and spring, and are associated with warm temperatures, strong solar radiation, and rain. 

Check out this video of a powerful loose wet avalanche that had enough mass to shake trees as it went past.