Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Firm snow that is generally stable is common in avalanche terrain today. Watch out for changes in snow hardness and isolated areas where snow becomes soft and easy to step into, which could be signs of instability.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Small wind slabs exist at mid and upper elevations in sheltered and wind-protected areas. Slabs depths are 1 inch to 2 feet thick and are highly variable in size, distribution, and hardness. Careful assessment of softer snow is advised, especially above consequential terrain or terrain traps. These slabs are unlikely to avalanche naturally, but small, human-triggered avalanches are not out of the question for those pushing into big terrain to find the softest snow.

Avalanche Discussion

A variable collection of crusts, hard wind slabs, and occasional pockets of softer wind slabs are the snow surfaces that exist above treeline today. Blowing snow yesterday created very thin (1-2inches) but reactive wind slabs in some lee areas. Though very small, these avalanches have the potential to affect balance and could cause a fall. In extremely isolated areas, such as in terrain-sheltered gullies or couloirs and below cornice formations, softer wind slabs have formed that could be sensitive to human-triggering. The avalanche problem can be easily avoided today by traveling on firm, textured old snow surfaces, which will not be hard to find. At the lower elevations, expect a crust to be a challenging travel surface and create a hard-over-soft layer at the surface of the snowpack. 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is now closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

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

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