Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche conditions are dangerous. You could trigger a large avalanche in wind drifted snow on steep slopes above 3000 feet in elevation. Recent avalanches nearby, deep drifts of new snow, and shooting cracks under your feet are all signs of a dangerous wind slab. Conservative decision making and minimizing time spent in or underneath large open snow slopes is essential for safe travel today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    What and where is it:Wind slabs between 1 - 3+ feet thick may be found in north, east, and south-facing terrain above 3000 feet. These slabs are made up of multiple new snow and wind events over the past several days. Avalanches in new, softer drifts could have the ability to step down into a harder, older, more destructive slab on top of a slick melt-freeze crust.How can you recognize it: Recent avalanches nearby are always a sign of an unstable snowpack.Newer wind slabs from snowfall and wind transport yesterday are likely to be softer and give clear signs of instability including deep, penetrable drifts, shooting cracks, and have a hollow feeling or sound. Older wind slabs formed over the past 3+ days will be harder, more supportable, and more dense. Though this older snow may appear supportable, recognize that it may be sitting on top of a slick melt-freeze crust. You may get less obvious signs of instability from dense old wind slabs, so dig down to the old crust layers to get a sense of slab thickness and sensitivity. How can you manage it: Assume wind-loaded easterly terrain is dangerous today, especially where you find connected drifts deeper than your boot tops. Use quick hand shears or simple column tests to check how well the slab is bonded to the bed surface. Minimize time spent underneath large, open snow slopes and make conservative terrain choices if you choose to travel in or around avalanche terrain.

    (1/17/2026)Large natural avalanche low in the terrain underneath Chute and Center Headwall.  Estimated time: mid-morning on Saturday, 1/17

Avalanche Discussion

The forecast area remains in a dynamic weather pattern, the snowpack is complex, and avalanche conditions remain dangerous today. Multiple naturally-triggered avalanches were reported yesterday including two large avalanches in Tuckerman Ravine as well as small avalanches in Gulf of Slides and a human-triggered avalanche in Little Headwall. These instances are signs that the snowpack is unstable.Looking ahead to today, expect to find a mix of new and old wind slabs that will both contribute to the dangerous snowpack structure. Keep an eye out for the obvious soft drifts of new snow, which could slide easily on harder, older snow below the surface. Additionally, don’t discount the older wind slabs that are much harder and sitting on top of the melt-freeze crust from January 10th. These slabs may not give obvious signs of instability until it is too late. They have shown the potential to propagate across long distances and could be much more destructive than a softer slab avalanche in the snow drifts that were formed yesterday and last night.

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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