Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Steep slopes with smooth, wind-drifted snow are the most likely areas to encounter an avalanche today. Use caution around these areas at upper and middle elevations, especially in steep, high-consequence terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Isolated pockets of 6-24 inch thick slabs overlie a strong melt freeze crust on easterly aspects at middle and upper elevations. These slabs have shown to be poorly bonded to the bed surface below.   

    Identifying the few areas that would be “possible to ski” are going to be the same areas where it is likely to encounter this problem. Look for smooth, chalky-textured surfaces to help identify this problem. Assess the new/old snow interface with your hand or a shovel before committing to slopes loaded with recent snow. 

    Tonight, another trace to 2 inches of snow falling on strong northwest wind may create new wind slabs in similar locations, adding a little size to this avalanche problem. 

    1/7/23. Human triggered small slab in Left Gully, Tuckerman Ravine. 

Avalanche Discussion

With such little snow and highly disconnected avalanche paths across the Presidential Range, skiers and climbers are being drawn to only a few specific terrain features in steep terrain that have enough snow to ski down or climb on. These areas are mainly in isolated areas in Tuckerman Ravine. Even with the unusually shallow snowpack, backcountry travelers are coming in contact with the few areas that have the ability to produce an avalanche.

Two days ago, two skiers triggered two separate wind slab avalanches while ascending steep snow slopes in Tuckerman Ravine. One of them was caught and carried and unburied. Both were uninjured. Both avalanches occurred in soft, wind-drifted snow that was poorly bonded to the slick melt/freeze crust below. 

Though both of Saturday’s events were small (D1) avalanches, they still had enough power to cause loss of balance or initiate a fall, which could have devastating consequences given the amount of exposed rock, ice, and vegetation that is exposed in this terrain. Even though the hazard rating is LOW, think carefully about your risk tolerance today and make your own slope-specific assessments to gauge stability and presence of wind slabs. 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is OPEN due to reduced avalanche risk, and is currently the least hazardous, direct route to the summit of Mt Washington from Pinkham Notch. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation 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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