Lawinenlagebericht

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

Fri
Hochgebirge
1 · Gering
Waldgrenze
1 · Gering
Unterhalb
1 · Gering
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Kernpunkte

Freezing temperatures last night have created generally safe avalanche conditions at middle and upper elevations. The wet upper snowpack on sunny aspects yesterday is now an icy and firm surface snow. This surface combines with old, hard crusts on other aspects to make long sliding falls a significant hazard in steep terrain. Snow showers develop today with the potential for small slabs to develop in isolated areas in the lee of steep terrain features. Avalanche danger should remain LOW today.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Small wind slabs will develop after snow begins to accumulate today. These slabs will be limited in distribution across the terrain and will likely only be triggerable by a skier or rider if we meet or exceed the total amount of snow that is forecast. Due to wetting of the snow during yesterday's warmup, the only snow available for transport by the wind will be this new snow since the old snow is refrozen. Keep a close eye on new snow falling today. Expect a widespread dust-on-crust scenario with good ski conditions in higher terrain on hold until the next warmup on Saturday.

Avalanche Discussion

The top 20-30 cm of snow became wet on sunny aspects yesterday. Cold dry snow was closer to the surface in the shade. The refrozen surface snow is now bridging over any deeper weak layers that may exist in isolated areas of the range. 

 

So far this season, facets near crusts have not really been a strong concern in the steepest terrain where regular avalanche activity, boot packing and skier compaction have combined with favorable terrain configuration to hold these slabs in place. Strong settlement has occurred several times this month as well. Going into the period of high pressure starting Saturday will start the diurnal temperature swings that create favorable corn skiing conditions in the steep terrain. Before we turn our attention to sluff management, glide cracks and icefall, we’ll need to consider the effect of warming and wetting deeper in the snowpack, near the buried ice crusts and the facets found nearby. Typically, our terrain and wind driven snow lacks the spatial uniformity to develop widespread, deep persistent avalanche problems but there have certainly been some infrequent but shocking reminders that these types of avalanche problems do exist here. The very large avalanche on the southeast snowfields of the summit on March 29, 2014 comes to mind. Low probability events such as these are the reason that experienced skiers and unfortunately to a lesser extent, climbers, wear a beacon and carry a shovel and probe whenever they are in avalanche terrain.  Low danger doesn't mean no danger so prepare accordingly.

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. 

 

Our next free online event is coming up, TONIGHT,  Thursday, March 18 @ 7PM -Women’s Backcountry Talk- A Free Zoom Webinar. Signup is required. 

 

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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