Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Evaluate recent wind drifted snow knowing that triggering a slide is possible. Stiff drifts of consolidated snow are the problem and should steer you towards wind sheltered areas with softer snow or wind scoured areas for safer skiing & climbing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Northwest winds in the past 12 hours have been moving yesterday’s 6 inches of dry snow from the alpine into the east facing ravines with another 1 to 3 inches possible today under continued northwest wind. These wind slabs are likely to be reactive with the moderate wind speeds last night and forecast today. 

    Watch for wind slabs as smooth pillows of drifted snow formed in the top half of slide paths. You might also trigger an avalanche today where spindrift snow collects at angle changes in the terrain, typically near the bottom of slide paths. Look for plump, pyramid shaped aprons of snow as an indicator. 

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday’s snowfall exceeded the forecast delivering 5-6 inches of snow to the middle and upper elevations. There was enough wind for some scouring and drifting within the ravines creating inconsistent snow depths across the terrain. Observers yesterday reported the new snow was generally bonding well with the old snow with very soft drifts up to 1 foot thick. At 3pm grain ID was obvious to the naked eye as small graupel and heavily rimed precip particles falling down steep faces and pooling into terrain depressions. Small, dry spindrift-sloughing avalanches were reported in several steep east facing locations. 

Watch for these ball-bearing like rimed particles to act as a weak layer if buried under today’s wind slabs. Given the damp, old snow beneath, this weak layer is likely to stabilize quickly in the next day or two though keep it in mind as you may find trigger points in unusual places. 

Avalanche concerns today are limited to the recent snow. Warming and refreezing has worked to stabilize and in some places solidify the snowpack beneath the new snow. 

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to submit observations of snow and avalanche conditions, both inside and outside our avalanche forecast area. Please keep them coming.

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