Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist today. Human triggered avalanches are likely and could be large enough to bury a person. Watch out for areas of bright white, pillow-like snow and areas of deeper boot penetration on steep south, east and north-facing aspects. Use conservative terrain choices and avoid traveling under steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Dangerous wind slab avalanches that are large enough to bury a person and likely to be sensitive to human triggers, exist throughout terrain today. The most likely place to find these wind slabs will be between 3000 and 5000 feet of elevation on south, east and north-facing slopes. These will look like large, bright white pillows of snow as compared to the wind textured snow around it. Because of new snow yesterday and continued development of existing slabs throughout the terrain, conservative decision-making and cautious route-finding should be used. There is also the potential of triggering a smaller, sensitive wind slab that steps down to a larger, more stubborn slab below, creating a much larger avalanche with far greater consequences. Avoid traveling under steep slopes, and if you are finding deeper boot penetration or seeing shooting cracks under your feet, you have found the avalanche problem and conservative terrain-choices should be made.

Avalanche Discussion

The forecast area saw another 1.6 inches of new snow throughout the day yesterday bringing the snow total to 18.4 inches since last week. Because of the continued injections of new snow, strong winds and with uncertainty to size and increased likelihood, we have gone to a CONSIDERABLE hazard rating today. Older wind slabs remain a concern because of the possible large size and varied sensitivities found throughout terrain. Although natural avalanches are unlikely today, newer wind slabs formed over the past 48 hours will be sensitive to human triggers. These more sensitive slabs have the potential to step down to weak layers in the larger slab below causing a much larger avalanche with far greater consequences. 

Also be aware of new, more sensitive wind slabs that may form as the winds shift to the southwest today. These may be found in isolated pockets on northeast and north aspects and will likely be small in size but sensitive to human triggers. 

At lower elevations, it’s possible to trigger a wind slab avalanche, but they will likely be smaller in size. Areas like Crawford Notch may have these slabs in the upper start zones of avalanche paths, and could be consequential if triggered due to the rocks and trees that exist throughout the terrain.

Look for large areas of bright white, pillow-like snow to help identify the dangerous wind slab problem. Column tests in safe, representative areas may be helpful, but might not be accurate for sensitivity throughout the terrain. Shooting cracks under your feet and deeper boot penetration will be indicators of the newer wind slabs. Use careful assessment and conservative terrain choices if traveling in steep terrain today and avoid traveling under steep slopes that contain wind slabs above.

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