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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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Small avalanches are possible today on many aspects in east-facing ravines. Watch for areas of softer snow where deeper boot penetration may indicate the snow is less stable and could avalanche. Travel on hard snow surfaces to avoid triggering an avalanche. Natural avalanches today are unlikely but not impossible, limit your time under the deeper drifts to reduce your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Moderately stubborn soft (1F) wind slabs formed from recent snow were warmed and wetted overnight, and will be more likely to slide today. Slab thickness is highly variable in the terrain ranging from several inches to 2 feet thick and the problem can be avoided by careful terrain choices in most locations. All slabs that allow boot penetration past a boot-top should be carefully assessed or avoided until temperatures drop back below freezing late in the day.  

    Snow showers late this afternoon and overnight may bring another 3-5 inches of new snow along with 60-80 mph west winds. Watch for new wind slabs forming on east-facing steep terrain and be prepared for increasing avalanche danger.  

Avalanche Discussion

We’ve transitioned from Low avalanche danger to Moderate avalanche danger for two reasons. 

  1. Small amounts of new snow each day since last weekend’s big wind event coupled with wind from different directions have created wind slabs in more locations. Speaking in terms of the CMAH framework, distribution has increased. These new slabs are no longer isolated when considering aspects. 
  2. Warming and rain are red flags to indicate decreasing stability. Yesterday, observations suggested that the recently formed slabs are capable of producing an avalanche, this was proven by a small human triggered avalanche on a steep northeast facing slope in Tuckerman Ravine.  Above freezing temperatures and rain at all elevations last night have decreased the stability of these recently formed slabs. 

Today’s avalanche problem is likely to stabilize once temperatures drop this afternoon/evening and be superseded by new wind slabs forming from snow overnight. Questions for snow observers tomorrow: will today's current wind slabs completely stabilize or will they be capable of contributing to tomorrow’s avalanche problem in addition to the new slabs forming overnight. 

Regions covered