Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired last year. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Cold, winterlike conditions have returned to the Presidential Range. Watch out for areas of wind-drifted snow where you can trigger an avalanche on a steep, icy snow surface. Long sliding falls remain equally dangerous today. Crampons, ice axes, and a helmet are critical tools if you make the choice to travel in steep terrain today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it:You could find and trigger a small wind slab on steep slopes that face south or east. The most likely place to find a new, sensitive wind slab is in highly wind-protected terrain like below cliffs and in narrow gullies. 

    How can you recognize it: Newly formed wind slabs will look smooth, clean, and white, contrasting sharply with the harder, gray bed surface underneath. How can you manage it:Make frequent snowpack observations and be cautious on steep slopes with deeper drifts. Informal tests like hand shears should help you to assess size and sensitivity. Traveling on the widespread hard, old snow surface can help to avoid the risk of triggering a wind slab.

Avalanche Discussion

Multiple human-triggered avalanches yesterday serve as a good reminder that the risk of avalanches should still be top-of-mind, even if it feels like spring in the valley. 

2.7 inches of new snow at the Mount Washington Summit in combination with high northwest winds means you could find small areas of unstable snow today, especially in very steep and wind-protected terrain. New wind slabs may have an isolated distribution and look like disconnected pockets of smooth new snow resting on top of the widespread icy, gray old snow surface. While triggering an avalanche today may not be large enough to bury you, it could cause a dangerous fall in steep terrain on a very icy surface. 

Arresting a fall in steep terrain today may be impossible because of a refrozen, icy snow surface. Temperatures well below freezing will make it hard for the sun to soften the snow, even on south-facing slopes. Crampons, ice axes, a helmet, and the skills to use them are necessary for travel in steep terrain today to mitigate the risk of a dangerous slip and a fall. 

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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