Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You could trigger a large avalanche today in wind-drifted snow in steep terrain. Watch out for areas above 3000’ in elevation where the wind has formed deep drifts on top of a crusty, old snow surface and dig down to assess stability.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    New and old wind slabs that are variable in size and sensitivity are scattered across middle and upper elevations on all aspects of the compass rose. On all aspects, it is possible to find and trigger a wind slab capable of burying a person. 

    The most likely place to find a large, reactive wind slab is on steep north-facing, east-facing, and south-facing slopes. Watch out for areas of deeper, smooth-looking snow near terrain features that provide shelter from the wind. Foot penetration past the top of your boot, cracking and collapsing under your feet, and positive instability tests are all signs that wind slabs are reactive and could avalanche. 

    Assessing today’s avalanche problem will require keen observation and strategic digging to assess snow stability.

Avalanche Discussion

After an active period of snowfall from multiple storm systems and upslope snow showers, snow accumulation and wind loading have worked to fill in avalanche paths and allow for increased snow connectivity across steep terrain. Though conditions are still thin in Presidential Range ravines, avalanches are now much more able to form and occur throughout steep terrain. 

In all avalanche terrain, expect to find a snowpack that is variable by elevation and aspect. At lower elevations that were exposed to increased amounts of rain and warming over the past few days, expect this to be seen in the form of crust layers within the snowpack. As you increase in elevation, the amount of warming and wet precipitation was less. Lower elevation crusts may change to subtle density changes or weak layers within the top meter of the snowpack at higher elevations. 

Our primary concern for wind slabs is centered around easterly terrain where wind loading in the past 24 hours had the opportunity to create thicker and more sensitive wind slabs. However, there is still a possibility that wind slabs with different characteristics are scattered across west-facing slopes. In these areas, a firm snow surface could be hiding soft, weak snow below.

Wherever you are in the Presidential Range, expect snowpack conditions to be dynamic depending on your aspect and elevation. Digging, keen observation, and investigation will be needed today in order to accurately assess the snowpack stability. Continue this throughout your day to gain a better spatial understanding of the dynamic snowpack. 

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