Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could find small, isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow on easterly and southerly aspects in wind-sheltered terrain above 3000 ft. Watch out for areas of smooth, soft surfaces in sheltered areas where snow may slide on the hard snow below.

Spring hazards still exist and may be hidden by the new snow. Evaluate your travel routes carefully. Use mountaineering skills and tools to travel on the firm, refrozen snowpack and avoid a long sliding fall. Look out for open holes, glide cracks and undermined snow. 

The final daily avalanche forecast will be Wednesday, April 8th. We will continue providing up-to-date snowpack information with a General Avalanche Information bulletin for the remainder of the season.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it: 

    Small, new wind slabs may be found on steep east and south facing slopes above 3000 feet. The deepest areas of wind-drifted snow are likely to be found in very steep, wind-protected terrain like narrow gullies and below cliffs.

    How can you recognize it: 

    Look for areas of smooth snow drifts that appear soft and bright white in contrast to the old, hard snow. Use your hand, or a shovel test to assess how easily the snow slides on top of the refrozen layer.

    How can you manage it:

    If you are traveling through snow deeper than your boottop, assess the sensitivity by using a hand shear, or shovel test before traveling on it. Travel on the old, refrozen surface to avoid the avalanche problem, but remember the consequences of even a slip in steep terrain on the hard old surface. Self-arrest will likely not be an option given the density of the refrozen snowpack.

Avalanche Discussion

Temperatures overnight dropped significantly into the single digits F. Snow overnight and into this morning has fallen on a hard, refrozen snowpack and was accompanied by 70-80mph winds with gusts reaching above 100mph. These extreme winds, cold temperatures, slick old snow surface and new snow could be a recipe for a small wind slab avalanche problem.

Expect wind slabs to be spotty in distribution. The most likely place to find small, isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow will be in sheltered terrain, like below rock buttresses, or in narrow gullies in easterly and southerly aspects. Even a small avalanche could be enough to cause a fall on top of an icy, refrozen snowpack.

Springtime hazards should not be out of mind today. Undermined snow, open holes and glide cracks may have become hidden from the new snow, but it is not enough snow to erase those problems. A long sliding fall will be difficult to self arrest today given the refroze, old snow. Use crampons, an ice axe, and a helmet to mitigate the risk of falling in steep terrain today.

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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