Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Isolated slabs of wind blown snow exist on steep and exposed terrain that could cause a small avalanche today. Use careful route selection and avoidance of falling ice from above and consequences below from a fall. With snow arriving tonight, and mixed precipitation tomorrow morning, expect the avalanche danger to increase.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    You will find wind drifted snow in slabs up to two feet deep in isolated terrain features. Most of these pockets are not well connected nor do they exhibit the physical characteristics of creating a large avalanche. Although, small avalanches in the rock, ice, and vegetative landscape will cause harm in other more traumatic ways than just suffocation from a burial. The usual ski terrain is not well filled in and sparse with snow. Avoid falling or being struck from ice above in such high consequence and exposed conditions. 

Avalanche Discussion

Clear skies yesterday allowed us to examine the snowpack in Tuckerman Ravine. We found areas where wind-blown snow had collected between ice and rock outcrops that showed signs of increasing stability. Test pits revealed soft snow over more firm snow with little concern for large propagating cracks in the recently formed slabs. Wind drifted snow tended to be around 4Fingers in hardness and was easily penetrated by boots. The surface snow in shaded areas consisted of loose and dry grains that had been rounded by wind action.

Skiers laid smooth and quiet tracks in the lower reaches of Chute, Main Headwall, and Chicken Rock Gully. Snow in the avalanche starting zones above looked firmly wind-sculpted and unappealing. The inconsistent snowpack is segmented by protruding rocks and ice without much connection between slopes that would allow for a large avalanche. As the low angle of the sun hit the most southerly slopes it warmed the surface creating a thin ice crust and released chunks of ice from above. As conditions warm and we likely see rain on the snowpack, expect icefall to become a primary concern.

With snow arriving tonight, and a mixed precipitation tomorrow morning, expect the avalanche danger to increase. Rising temperatures and heavy wetting rains high up on the slopes is a red flag for natural avalanches in steep terrain. Ice potentially breaking loose and falling on destabilizing snow could allow for unanticipated and destructive outcomes. Expect a significant change in the danger rating and tomorrow’s overall avalanche forecast. 

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to submit observations of snow and avalanche conditions. If you are out today, and the skies clear to allow better visibility please take a few minutes at the end of the day to add an observation at our website. Your observations help us produce a more accurate forecast, and helps the community make better decisions in avalanche terrain by having more information. 

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