Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Large avalanches are unlikely, but you could trigger small avalanches on steep slopes with north & northeast aspects. Small wet loose avalanches starting under your feet in steep terrain are possible on all aspects. Move off of steep slopes if you sink into wet snow past your boot tops.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    After two days of very warm temperatures, the chance for triggering a wet slab has been lessened by cooler temperatures and no sun. In many locations, the surface snow was wetted down to the bed surface with no discernable structure to propagate as a slab. In isolated areas on generally more northerly aspects, dry snow exists beneath the wet snow which could fail as a cohesive slab if today’s rain penetrates deeper into the snow. 

    Keep in mind, wet slab avalanches are characterized by uncertainty. Exactly when and where you might trigger a wet slab avalanche is very hard to predict. Traveling on snow no deeper than your boot top is the most effective way to avoid a large wet slab avalanche.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Wet loose avalanches are possible on all aspects and all snow surfaces in steep terrain. These wet sluffs will be easy to initiate under your skis or board and carry a lot of weight. They can easily knock you off your feet, so consider the consequences of a sluff-induced fall in terrain you choose. These sluffs may also help trigger a wet slab avalanche by adding a significant amount of mass to a human trigger, penetrating deeper into the snowpack. 

Avalanche Discussion

Today’s wet slab avalanche problem can be described as a low probability, high consequence event. After two very warm days and plenty of sunshine, we are past the point of peak instability. Cooler temperatures overnight at upper elevations helps drive this trend by reducing the amount of melt water flowing through the snow. What this means is the chance for a wet slab avalanche is reduced, not eliminated. Rain in the afternoon may work to increase the likelihood for triggering, especially in areas with deeper snow on top of the frozen bed surface. 

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to submit observations of snow and avalanche conditions, both inside and outside our avalanche forecast area. Please keep them coming.

The Lion Head Summer Trail is closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

Regions covered