Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanches are unlikely today, but not impossible. Watch out for areas of soft snow drifts that are deeper than your boot tops that look smooth and feel or sound hollow. Use your hand, a pole, or a shovel to evaluate this snow before committing to traveling in steep avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it:You could find wind slabs from recently drifted snow on east-facing and south-facing terrain above 3000 ft. In general, recent soft wind slabs are well bonded to the older snow below, but it's worth looking out for isolated areas with deeper drifts that have a firmer snow surface and soft snow hidden underneath.How can you recognize it: Look for snow in steep terrain that looks smooth or pillowy and sounds or feels hollow. Probe with a ski pole to assess slab thickness and take a close look at the slab/underlying snow structure to understand the sensitivity. How can you manage it: Make consistent observations throughout the day to identify areas that could hold a dangerous wind slab and to inform your own decision making. Remember that people in the terrain above you present an additional hazard, especially if they trigger an avalanche higher up.

Avalanche Discussion

Remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger.On wind-protected slopes and around steep terrain features that provide wind protection, expect to find areas of recently wind-drifted snow that are generally stable. Mild temperatures and sunshine will ultimately help to settle and further stabilize new, soft snow. As this is happening, stay vigilant with your own observations and look for signs of instability like shooting cracks in the snowpack, reactivity in snowpit instability tests, and areas of soft snow that want to easily slide on a firm layer of snow below.In wind-exposed areas, you’ll probably find significant wind-scouring down to hard, textured, old snow. This harder snow is likely to be stable and could present a safer option for travel if you are concerned about the sensitivity of recent wind slabs. 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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