Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on all aspects above 3000 feet in elevation. As warm temperatures melt the snowpack, areas of wind drifted snow, large enough to bury people and damage trees, may be easily triggered or avalanche naturally. Use conservative route choices if traveling in or under steep terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–3

    Above freezing temperatures and rain have the potential to transition old wind slabs into wet slabs today. This avalanche problem will be found on all aspects at elevations above 3000 feet where pockets of wind drifted snow exists. Slabs will become more reactive to human triggers and may avalanche naturally as meltwater weakens the bonds within the snow. South and east aspects will be especially dangerous because of the large wind slabs that already exist in steep terrain, which will warm and potentially become more reactive throughout the day. These slabs could be large enough to bury multiple people, damage trees, and reach far into runout zones. It's difficult to predict the timing of instability with wet slab avalanches and therefore conservative decision making and limiting your exposure around avalanche terrain will be essential.

Avalanche Discussion

With temperatures already above freezing at the summit of Mount Washington this morning, and rain possible for this afternoon, meltwater will begin to percolate down into the snowpack creating instability.

Observations from yesterday confirmed the upside down nature of the snowpack on eastern terrain. Wind slabs were bridging in some areas but digging into the snow revealed a soft unconsolidated layer of snow below the wind slab. Although this snowpack structure is more likely on east and south facing slopes, there is the possibility that smaller wind slabs on west and north aspects still exist. Therefore, today’s avalanche problem is on all aspects above 3000 feet.  

Wet slab avalanches are difficult to predict and therefore need to be handled with an increased margin of safety. With the new snow from this past weekend, most avalanche paths are well established and avalanches today could run far into runout zones, including past Connection Rescue Cache and over the upper GOS ski trail. Use conservative decision making and limit your time on or under steep slopes to help limit your exposure to the avalanche hazard today.

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