Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are possible at middle elevations today from small drifts of new snow. Larger, smooth slabs of drifted snow that remain in steep slopes are less vulnerable to a human trigger, though capable of producing a larger destructive avalanche. It is unlikely that a person could trigger one of these underlying large wind slabs, but they could be triggered by the mass of a smaller avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderate wind speeds and two to three inches of snow yesterday have built reactive but small wind slabs up to 1 foot thick. They are most likely found on northeast through south aspects but wind may affect snow and help build small cohesive slabs on many aspects.

    Larger slabs that remain in steep terrain after the avalanche cycles earlier in the week have become stubborn, though don’t rule out the possibility of a large slide by finding a thin spot in the slab. Look for plump, smooth surfaces in the snow, you should be able to navigate around them. 

    You’re more likely to trigger an avalanche in softer pockets of new snow where your skis or boots sink into the slab. It is unlikely, however not impossible, that a small slab avalanche has enough mass to trigger one of the older slabs. Be mindful of your positioning when navigating around the older slabs. 

Avalanche Discussion

It’s been a busy week for the snowpack in the range. Around 16-18 inches of new snow fell through the first half of the week resulting in two natural avalanche cycles.  On Saturday, February 5, several hard slab avalanches were observed on east and southeast and even south aspects in the Gulf of Slides, Tuckerman Ravine and the Summer Lion Head Trail. (GOS, LHT, TUCK). On Tuesday the 8th, new snow and wind shifting west were the cause of several D1 avalanches to be observed in Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines on primarily northeast and east aspects. (OBS1).

Going into the weekend, expect to find the snowpack more settled. Recent wind slabs that pepper the terrain will be somewhat reactive though small and easy to assess using simple hand shears and quick stability tests along the way as you travel. As mentioned above, a larger concern, though unlikely, would be triggering one of the remaining large slabs that didn’t already avalanche earlier in the week. Warmer temperatures, time and solar gain will have worked to settle these slabs especially on south aspects. Caution is advised on all, but remaining slabs on northerly aspects high in the terrain stand a greater chance for triggering.  

Please help us and your fellow skiers, riders, and climbers by submitting any pertinent or interesting observations to our website. 

 

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