Lawinenlagebericht

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
2 · Mässig
Waldgrenze
2 · Mässig
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist 5 years ago abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

Watch snow temperatures carefully if you plan to climb or ski today in avalanche terrain. The snowpack has been slow to warm on shady aspects but is likely to warm more significantly today. Loose wet avalanches remain likely on most aspects, especially on south and west facing ones this afternoon. Larger and more dangerous wet slab avalanches remain possible in isolated areas. Avalanche danger today remains MODERATE. An equally important hazard comes from the speed with which surface snow can freeze. The resulting icy crust can lead to long sliding falls in steep terrain.

Icefall is a problem and glide cracks are opening up due to warm conditions. Rapid melting is also increasing stream flow and melting snow bridges over stream beds. Adjust your travel plans accordingly.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wet Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Unlikely
    Größe
    1–2

    Prolonged warming, especially the first warming of a previously dry snowpack creates conditions for this avalanche type. Wet snow at the surface with dry snow beneath are easy to identify signals of this potential problem. If you find yourself traveling on steep slopes with wet, slushy snow on top, triggering one of these slides will be possible, particularly when a weak layer or ice crust exists below. Though this avalanche type is rare in our firm, wind-packed snow, it is certainly possible. Continue to use standard safe travel practices in soft, wet snow, such as skiing one at a time with a beacon, shovel and probe, and limiting time spent in avalanche paths.

  • Loose Wet

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Very Likely
    Größe
    1

    Warm air temperatures and rain will create a sloppy surface layer of wet slushy snow. In snow previously undisturbed by skier traffic, these slides will start at a point and fan out as they travel downhill and entrain additional wet snow. Even if they remain small in size, the risk is that the sloppy surface snow will move underfoot and possibly carry you. Be careful in steep terrain where falls have consequences.

Avalanche Discussion

Clouds and fog are limiting the radiational cooling effect that clear skies bring to the snowpack. The increasing rate of settlement indicates that remaining cold dry snow is feeling the effects of the warm conditions now more so than earlier this week, likely on every aspect. Until now, clear conditions have limited the softening of snow to sunny aspects due to heat quickly radiating out into space. Developing cloud cover has allowed  long wave radiation to reflect back to the earth’s surface which increases the rate of warming in the snowpack. It’s too soon to tell exactly when the snowpack will become completely isothermal, but rain today and tomorrow will certainly speed the process. At this time, forecasts indicate that rain may be heavy. Initially, the rain and rapid melting will increase the avalanche danger and create significant hazards due to icefall. 

Unsettled weather over the next four days will bring a mixed bag of precipitation. At this point, conditions do not appear to be lining up for favorable spring skiing conditions for the weekend, unless your definition of spring includes wind, cold, clouds and snow showers. Saturday certainly seems to be the nicer day of the two though temperatures in the mid-twenties, wind in the 55-70 mph range and mostly cloudy skies aren’t an ideal forecast. 

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Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the forecasters at MWAC. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations here. 

 

Listen to the weekly MWAC Outreach Podcast provided by Ski The Whites. Discussions include snowpack information, weekend outlook, and general avalanche related info and are generally made available Friday or early Saturday morning.

 

Our next free online event is coming up  tonight, Thursday, March 25 @ 7PM -Opportunity and Cost - with Jake Risch.A Free Zoom Webinar.  Jake Risch will conclude our 2021 Speaker Series this Thursday at 7:00pm with his presentation "Is It Worth It? Understanding and Quantifying risk and opportunity in the Mountains."⁣ Are the risks we are taking in the mountains justified by the rewards that we gain? Jake offers framework for understanding and quantifying the risk versus reward conundrum picked up from his experiences as an Army officer, civilian project manager in Iraq and Afghanistan, business consultant, river guide, class V expedition kayaker, and lifetime Mount Washington skier. ⁣⁣We hope you join us for this awesome conclusion to our successful speaker series. This event is free and all are welcome. 

 

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed inside the cabin. There is no access to the breezeway at HoJos.

Please Remember:

  • Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.
  • Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.

For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or seasonally at the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.

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