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

In most areas, the snowpack is generally stable and avalanches are unlikely. Watch out for smooth, wind-drifted snow on steep east-facing and south-facing slopes. Remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger and even triggering a small avalanche can have serious consequences in steep terrain.Avalanche danger will increase late tonight, into tomorrow with new snow accumulation and strong westerly winds.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it:The most likely place to find a new wind slab is on steep southeast-facing and south-facing slopes below 5000 feet. In general, expect new wind slabs to be small and isolated to the most wind-protected areas. Areas including Oakes Gulf, the southeast face of Tuckerman Ravine, and the south face of Huntington Ravine are examples of places where you might find a small wind slab avalanche problem.How can you recognize it: Look for smooth, soft drifts of wind-drifted snow where the terrain provides protection from the wind. These areas should be easy to identify when compared to the hard, wind-textured snow surfaces nearby. If you are sinking into soft snow that is deeper than the tops of your boots, recognize that you might have found a wind slab.How can you manage it: Use caution around areas of smoother, softer snow. Dig down to the hard snow below to better understand the slab thickness and how easily the snow slides on top of the hard snow below. Avoiding small areas of concern should be easy by traveling on the widespread hard, wind-textured snow surface.

Avalanche Discussion

Remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger.

Expected to find a highly textured and wind-hardened snowpack across most of the terrain. In wind protected areas, you could find smooth areas of wind slab that are variable in size and your own observations are important today, especially if you choose to travel on steep east-facing or south-facing slopes. Pay close attention to changes in snow surface and if you find deeper drifts of smooth, soft snow, stop and reevaluate to better understand the potential for that area to avalanche. 

Overnight, expect 6 - 8 inches of new snow accumulating and being redistributed by westerly winds to increase the avalanche hazard, with the potential of building large wind slabs - especially in eastern ravines like Tuckerman Ravine, Huntington Ravine, and Gulf of Slides. 

In low elevations in Crawford Notch (observation 1, observation 2), multiple recent observations called out very small wind slabs that were reactive to the weight of a person in extremely steep climbing terrain. While these areas do not show the potential of creating an avalanche large enough to bury a person, triggering an isolated, very small area of sensitive snow would have the potential to cause a serious fall in steep terrain.

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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