Lawinenlagebericht

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

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

Kernpunkte

Your chances for triggering a wet snow avalanche will increase as temperatures rise above freezing and rain begins to saturate the snow. Look for rain, wetting mushy snow, and roller balls for signs of increasing avalanche hazard. Steer clear of steep slopes with wet snow to reduce your chances of getting caught.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wet Slabs

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

    What and where is it: Any of the new snow found on top of the hard, icy old snow could produce a wet snow avalanche today. Various wind slabs have been found on north, east, and south-facing terrain. While most of these slabs have been small, some drifts, specifically in northeast and east-facing terrain, have been thick and could produce a large wet snow avalanche. Snow on the western half of the compass may be more disconnected, but could still slide today.

    Freezing lines are forecast around 5100 feet in elevation, which extends into upper elevation. While you are most likely to encounter wet snow in middle elevation terrain today, wetting and softening snow surfaces may extend into parts of upper elevation terrain as well. Wet snow avalanches are less likely to occur higher in terrain, but could if you find wet snow.

    How can you recognize it: Rain and moistening snow surfaces will be your most obvious signs. It is possible that you may encounter both wet slab and wet loose avalanches today. Signs for wet loose will be mushy, unstructured snow and rollerballs. For wet slabs, dig into the snow to see if water is pooling on the stout melt-freeze crust. Use a pole, probe, or your boot penetration to size the slab thickness today.

    How can you manage it: Be prepared to assess changing conditions as temperatures rise today. Precipitation type will vary based on your elevation, as will the avalanche hazard today. If you move into snow higher in elevation, differentiate between the snow that has moistened and where the snow that has stayed dry and cold as they will react differently. For wet snow, assess how much is on the melt-freeze crust to assess size. Use hand shears and column tests to understand slab sensitivity. Look to see if water is pooling on the melt-freeze crust. Remember that slab depth and sensitivity could vary based on your elevation and aspect. 

Avalanche Discussion

While the calendar may say it is spring, the mountains have yet to enter a spring diurnal weather pattern. The weather the past few days has felt wintry, with 11.6 inches of snow recorded at the summit since Sunday, 3/22. Since this recent snow has generally remained cold, it will need time to shed and settle during today’s warm-up and rain. 

Recent forecaster observations (Obs 1, Obs 2) have found poor snowpack structure within the new snow found on top of the stout melt-freeze crust. This crust is the most likely bed surface today. The new snow has been found to have slab structure in some terrain, while in others it has been observed as an even blanket of cohesionless snow.

This is likely to produce a range of wet snow avalanches, with some wet slabs and some wet loose. Both of these can be consequential due to dense and heavy debris, and wet loose can entrain a significant amount of snow. Take time to assess the consequences of a slide, as some terrain may amplify it with exposed rocks, trees, or cliffs.

Today brings dynamic weather and a lot of rapid change to the snowpack. If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, be ready to make decisions that may vary based on elevation and time of day as the snow surfaces wet.

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. 

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