Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

During the day, you are unlikely to trigger an avalanche. As new snow accumulates and wind speeds increase tonight, expect avalanche danger to increase. Watch out for soft drifts of new snow deeper than your boots and plumes of snow being blown by the wind as signs that avalanche danger is increasing and triggering a wind slab avalanche is possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    What and where is it:Later in the day and tonight, new snow and increasing winds will have the ability to form small wind slabs above 3000 feet on steep east-facing and south-facing slopes.How can you recognize it: Look for drifts of new snow that are deeper than the top of your boots, plumes of snow being blown by the wind at the ridgelines, and cracks in the snow around you. Dig down to the hard, old snow surface to understand the depth and density of new wind slabs and how easily the snow slides on top of the icy snowpack underneath. How can you manage it: Look for smooth, deep drifts of new snow on steep slopes and choose a travel plan that manages your exposure to these areas. Consider the timing of your travel in avalanche terrain. If you are out early in the day, you’re unlikely to trigger an avalanche, but if you are out late in the day or overnight, the possibility of triggering an avalanche will increase.

Avalanche Discussion

Remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger.Yesterday, the snowpack in avalanche terrain was observed to be mostly stable with firm and icy snow surfaces in many areas. This will begin to change today with new snowfall and increasing winds and the timing of these inputs is important to consider.

Snowfall falling on light and moderate winds during the daylight hours is unlikely to present a significant avalanche problem, other than sluffing of loose snow that struggles to stick to an icy old snow surface. As temperatures drop, new snow density decreases, and increasing winds have the opportunity to move this new snow, expect thicker wind slabs to begin forming and avalanche danger to increase overnight. Keep in mind that new wind slabs will be forming on a very hard, icy snow surface and may struggle to bond well. Remember that even a small avalanche could have terrible consequences on a firm, icy snowpack if it causes a fall in steep terrain. By tomorrow morning, avalanche hazard could be significantly more dangerous than what it is today and tonight, depending on the amount of new snowfall and the wind’s ability to effectively move new snow into steep avalanche terrain. 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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