Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger an avalanche large enough to bury a person in areas of wind drifted snow. These drifts can be found on steep south facing and east facing slopes at middle and upper elevations. Watch for blowing snow, shooting cracks under your feet or deeper boot penetration to help identify the avalanche problem and use careful route-finding to avoid these sensitive areas.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Isolated pockets of reactive wind slabs exist in steep terrain at middle and upper elevations. The most likely places to find these are on south facing slopes near or adjacent to ridgeline terrain features along with eastern aspects between 3000 and 5000 ft of elevation as the west winds build slabs throughout the day. These wind slabs sit on top of a melt-freeze crust and could be reactive to human triggers. Look for blowing snow and deeper, wind drifted snow to identify these sensitive areas and evaluate the snow carefully before traveling on them.

Avalanche Discussion

The forecast area saw calm winds, partly sunny skies and cold temperatures yesterday. Isolated pockets of small, sensitive wind slabs were observed in steep, sheltered areas in the terrain. Wind slabs on steep south aspects may have seen an increase in stability from some solar gain and calm winds yesterday; however, the predominantly cold temperatures likely kept snowpack bonding to a minimum and slabs may still be reactive to the weight of a person today.

There is uncertainty to the size and distribution of wind slabs on eastern aspects today because of the uncertainty of available snow for transport. As west winds increase throughout the day, there is the possibility of new wind slabs developing on steep eastern slopes. These will most likely be found between 3000 and 5000 feet of elevation and be reactive to human triggers. If winds increase to the higher end of the forecasted speeds and there is more snow available for transport, these slabs could become large enough to bury a person.

If traveling on steep south-facing or east facing slopes, use careful snowpack assessment like hand shears and column tests, to identify areas of concern. If you are seeing blowing snow, shooting cracks under your feet or getting deeper boot penetration in the snow, you are finding the avalanche hazard and cautious terrain choices should be made. 

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.

Regions covered