Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You may be able to trigger avalanches large enough to bury a person on slopes that face west, south, and east. Watch for signs of wind actively drifting snow to know that avalanche danger is increasing. Travel on the firm old snow surfaces to avoid this avalanche problem.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Look out for soft wind slabs 12-20 inches thick formed from the 2-3 inches of new snow over the last 48 hours. Expect these slabs to be soft due to lower than average wind speeds, yet capable of failing on the older stubborn bed surface below. You’re most likely to find slabs large enough to bury a person from around 2700 - 5000 elevation on southwest, south and southeast aspects, with cross-loading on adjacent aspects. 

    Early in the day, the avalanche problem may be hard to find and generally limited in size. If wind speeds increase today as forecast, lookout for wind drifting snow to increase the size and sensitivity of the slabs, especially in southerly aspects. 

    The soft new snow is easy to identify, compared to the firm, stubborn older snow below. If you find soft snow deeper than boot-tops, you’ve found the avalanche problem. Simple hand shears will help you test stability as you travel.

Avalanche Discussion

Increasing wind speeds today with the potential to significantly increase avalanche danger should be on your radar today. After several days with light winds and a little snow, the chance for the Mt Washington wind machine to finally turn on and transport snow onto southerly aspects exists. If clearing skies are accompanied by increasing winds, look for snow blowing at the ridgelines to know that avalanche danger is rising. 

At lower elevations, including Crawford’s Notch, the overall shallow snowpack will limit the potential size of avalanches, yet could be dangerous beyond their size due to terrain traps lower in narrow gullies.

Regions covered