Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago.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

You could trigger an avalanche today above 3000 ft on steep north, east, and south-facing slopes. The largest areas of unstable snow are likely to be on south and east-facing terrain. Look for snow blowing at ridgelines, drifts deeper than your boot tops, and shooting cracks as signs of dangerous avalanche conditions. Traveling on hard and textured old snow surfaces will reduce your exposure to unstable snow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it: New wind slabs are likely forming above 3000 ft throughout the day across the compass as winds change directions and increase in speed.

    North: On northern aspects, wind slabs may have formed from the initial snowfall and south and southwest winds. These are likely to be small, and as winds shift northerly, may become wind-hardened. 

    East and South: If snow totals are on the high end throughout the day, the largest slabs could be found in east and south-facing terrain. If snow is actively loading, expect these slabs to be sensitive throughout the day.

    How can you recognize it: Look for smooth, soft areas of wind-drifted snow that could be in contrast to firm and textured old snow surfaces. Blowing snow from ridgelines will be an indicator that snow is actively loading and that slabs are likely more reactive. The biggest question is the size of new slabs today, so pay attention to slab depth from boot penetration or using a pole to measure thickness. How can you manage it: Use caution around areas of smoother, softer snow. Dig down to the hard snow below to better understand the slab thickness and how easily the new snow slides on top of the hard snow below with hand shears or column tests. To reduce your exposure to new slabs, travel on hard and wind-textured old snow surfaces.

Avalanche Discussion

If you choose to enter avalanche terrain, expect to actively assess conditions throughout the day, as winds will continue to change directions and increase in speed. 

The biggest question forecasters discussed today is the size of newly forming wind slabs. On the one hand, overnight snow was on the low end of forecasted totals. Less snow with changing winds is more likely to create small slabs in multiple aspects than large slabs. However, the additional snow forecast today could create large slabs in east and south-facing terrain if snow totals are on the high end. 

The snow forecast throughout the day is from upslope snow showers, which may vary in amount across terrain. This spatial variability adds uncertainty as the size could be different due to variable snow amounts. Because of this, you will need to assess beyond just whether wind slabs have formed, but also look for how large they are and if they are still loading.

If you are finding large slabs that are still loading, avalanche conditions are likely to be more dangerous, with the potential for avalanche hazard to be getting closer to considerable. Factoring in the probability of precipitation, this scenario is unlikely, as snow totals today are forecast to be closer to 1 inch. However, if there is more snow, larger slabs could form, making conditions more dangerous and increasing the consequences of triggering an avalanche. 

Remember that you chose the terrain you enter. Assess conditions throughout the day, paying mind to slab size and the potential for that to be increasing if you are observing active loading. 

Low Elevation: In recent snow events, there have been multiple observations of small wind slabs forming at low elevations in Crawford Notch (observation 1, observation 2). These slabs have been small and reactive to the weight of a person in extremely steep climbing terrain. While these areas do not show the potential of creating an avalanche large enough to bury a person, triggering an isolated, very small area of sensitive snow would have the potential to cause a serious fall in steep terrain. The potential exists for new slabs to develop today, so keep this in mind if you are recreating on steep snow and ice covered slopes at low elevations.

Events: Join MWAC Forecasters, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center Foundation, and backcountry enthusiasts for a fundraiser supporting the avalanche center hosted by Big Day Brewing! This will be tonight, Feb 11, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Big Day Brewing, 20 Glen Road, Gorham, NH. 

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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