Presidential Range

You could trigger an avalanche in new, wind drifted snow on steep south, southeast and east-facing slopes. Watch for areas of deeper snow or shooting cracks under your feet to indicate the avalanche problem and travel on the old, icy bed surface to help limit your exposure to this hazard.

Winds will continue to increase throughout the day with potential gusts over the century mark by the afternoon. This along with 1-3 inches of new snow will create isolated pockets of wind slabs at middle elevations while scouring upper elevation terrain. 

There is uncertainty to the size and sensitivity of these new slabs. If the forecast area sees the upper end of predicted snow totals, these slabs could be large enough to catch and carry a person. If less snow falls, these slabs will likely be small in size. 

As winds continue to ramp up throughout the day, these slabs will likely become less sensitive to human triggers. However until significant wind exposure happens, these newly formed wind slabs could avalanche from the weight of a person. Remember that any long sliding fall in the current snowpack could be consequential because of the exposed rocks and trees throughout the terrain. 

Watch for areas of deeper boot penetration and shooting cracks under your feet to indicate the wind slab avalanche problem. Evaluate the snowpack carefully before committing to steep slopes and travel on the old icy bed surface to reduce your exposure to the avalanche hazard. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts.