Lawinenlagebericht

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Sun
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 2 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

You could trigger an avalanche today in recent wind-drifted snow. This avalanche problem won’t be widespread, but limited to the most wind-protected areas on easterly aspects. Softer snow on steep slopes indicates the chance for triggering a slide. Identify these drifts and steer around them.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    1–1.5

    What and where is it:  Watch for newly formed wind slabs from around 5 inches of snow and very high wind speeds on easterly aspects at middle and lower elevations. Due to many hours of high northwest winds yesterday, these slabs are likely to be stubborn or even unreactive to a human trigger in most areas. In some locations where these slabs found protection from the wind, these slabs may remain sensitive to a human trigger. The traverse on Summer Lion Head Trail, under the rock buttress roll-over is an example where triggering an avalanche is possible today. 

    How can you recognize it: Look out for areas of areas of smooth, wind-stiffened snow on steep terrain, especially when they lack a surface sculpted by the wind. Slabs with a strong-over-weak structure is a red flag.

    How can you manage it: Do your best to identify the new slabs, especially areas with deeper drifts and evaluate them carefully, or steer around them. Using a ski pole to probe to understand structure and depth and informal tests like hand shears should help you to assess size, thickness and sensitivity. 

    Despite the low hazard rating, continue to travel thoughtfully in avalanche terrain. If you're unsure about the sensitivity or location of wind slabs, consider taking an alternate route in simpler, low angle terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

After the high wind speeds yesterday and overnight, there’s a good chance that nearly all newly formed wind slabs will be stubborn and likely unreactive. However, this stability is primarily due to the strong winds. Given the recency and cold temperatures limiting settlement and bonding, the potential for triggering an avalanche with a softer slab should be top-of-mind today.

Looking ahead, a winter storm will track to the north of the forecast area late tonight and into tomorrow with significant snow totals possible. Be ready for increasing avalanche hazards tomorrow and Monday. Persistent Slabs

On 2/14/25 we removed Persistent Slabs as an avalanche problem. Field observations indicate that a persistent weak layer remains, particularly on east, southeast, and south aspects. However, after 30-40 inches of additional snow, the snow structure above these layers has strengthened, making the likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this layer very low, though not entirely impossible. The greatest chance of triggering this layer is at low elevations, but generally with much less consequence due to avalanche size from a shallow snowpack. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation on our website or in the new Avy phone app of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. *Thank you Vermont Observers! Check out the interesting snowpack to the west of the MWAC Forecast area here.

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