Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger a small avalanche in steep, east-facing, terrain above 3000 feet. Watch out for sheltered areas of soft drifted snow that could be found below ridgelines, cliffs, or in narrow gullies. Blowing snow may make it difficult to assess terrain. Use conservative route choices to help minimize your exposure to the hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    What and where is it:

    New snow today has the potential to make small, isolated wind slabs on steep, easterly aspects especially around wind-protected terrain features like cliffs, below ridgelines, and in narrow gullies. 

    How can you recognize it: 

    Extreme west winds and blowing snow may make it difficult to identify new wind slabs in avalanche terrain today. Look for pillows of new drifted snow compared to the wind textured snow around it. Blowing snow, shooting cracks under your feet or soft snow that is deeper than the top of your boot, are all warning signs of the avalanche problem.

    How can you manage it:

    Look for wind-scoured and wind-textured areas to travel on. Identify warning signs of developing wind slabs and make terrain choices to help minimize your exposure to this hazard.

Avalanche Discussion

Low avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. Temperatures are forecast to drop to -20 degrees today, and new snow will likely be low density and easily transported. With strong west winds continuing throughout the day, the possibility of finding new wind slabs will most likely be in sheltered terrain features on east aspects. Should snow squalls this morning produce higher than expected snow totals, be aware of potentially larger wind slabs in steep terrain.

Although the forecast area has a variable and shallow snowpack overall, yesterday, forecasters in Tuckerman Ravine observed that steep avalanche terrain was developed and well-connected. The implications of this are that new avalanches could run further into runout zones than previously this season. This area may be an outlier in the forecasting zone but it is worth noting if traveling in steep, east-facing aspects. 

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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