Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

You could trigger a large avalanche in wind-drifted snow above 3000 feet in elevation on steep east-facing and south-facing slopes. Watch out for softer drifts of new snow that are sitting on top of an icy layer of old snow and are deeper than your boots. Travel on hard, wind-scoured snow to reduce your chances of triggering an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it:New snow and high winds over the past 48 hours have formed wind slabs above 3000 feet on steep east-facing and south-facing slopes. These slabs have a poor, strong-over-weak structure that could avalanche from the weight of a person. Areas like Tuckerman Ravine, Gulf of Slides, and the Summer Lion Head Trail are a few examples of places where you could find this avalanche problem today.How can you recognize it: If you see areas of snow that are smooth-looking and are deeper than the top of your boots, suspect a wind slab. If the snow surface is hard, rough, and scoured, the avalanche problem is likely absent. Dig down to the hard, old snow surface to understand the depth and density of new wind slabs and how easily the snow slides on top of the icy snowpack underneath. How can you manage it: Watch out for smooth, softer drifts of new snow on steep slopes and choose a travel plan that manages your exposure to these areas. Traveling on a firm, wind-scoured snow surface can help reduce the possibility of triggering an avalanche today.

Avalanche Discussion

Due to poor visibility yesterday, there is still some uncertainty about the distribution of large wind slabs in avalanche terrain today. In some areas, you may not find an avalanche problem, and instead find a hard, wind-scoured old snow surface. Because of this uncertainty, your own field observations will be critical in making informed decisions and managing your own risk. In lee terrain that has provided ample protection from the wind, our team found large wind slabs up to 2 feet thick on south and southeast-facing slopes at middle elevations. We observed a poor structure that showed instability and the ability to propagate during column tests. These hard slabs have buried and protected a soft layer of snow sitting on top of the 1/10 melt-freeze crust, where instabilities yesterday were observed. Traveling on a new wind slab might not give clear evidence of instability due to its dense upper layer. It’s important to factor this into your decision making today and understand that ski or boot tracks on a slope does not guarantee safety or stability. Skiing or climbing over an invisible thin spot in the slab could be what is needed to trigger an avalanche today.Keep an eye on warming temperatures later today, which could add stress to these slabs if they begin to warm from increasing temperatures or sunshine. 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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