Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Your chances for triggering an avalanche large enough to bury a person will increase later in the afternoon. Watch out for increasing northwest west winds forming soft drifts from recent snow on easterly aspects. Continued snowfall today and increasing wind will cause the danger to rise overnight and into tomorrow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it:This morning, triggering a large avalanche is unlikely. As winds shift to the northwest and increase this afternoon, up to 4 inches of new & recent snow will gradually form soft wind slabs on east-facing aspects above 3,000 feet. Later tonight through tomorrow morning, these wind slabs may release naturally, and avalanches could be large enough to bury a person.How can you recognize it: Blowing snow at the ridgelines tells you that wind slabs are forming. Look for fresh, smooth “pillowy” drifts on the lee side of ridges, gullies, and rollovers. These slabs will be relatively soft due to moderate wind speeds. Obvious red flags are cracks shooting out from your feet, along with a stiffer slab over softer snow, a hollow/drum-like feel underfoot.How can you manage it: Manage your exposure by identifying and avoiding wind-loaded slopes, including the gentler terrain below large start zones. Manage risk by traveling one at a time through exposed areas. When transitioning from an area heavily wind-affected snow surface onto a softer drifted wind slab, dig into the snow and investigate carefully before committing.

Avalanche Discussion

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

Avalanche conditions are generally stable this morning, with LOW hazard at all elevations. The roughly 2 inches of recent snow (about an inch overnight on the 5th and another inch last night) has seen minimal wind effect at ravine level, leaving generally soft, unconsolidated snow without slab character in most terrain this morning.

Through the day, an additional 1-3 inches of snowfall is expected. As winds shift to the northwest and increase this afternoon, all new and recent snow will become available for transport and soft wind slabs will begin forming on easterly lee aspects. There is uncertainty in both snowfall totals and the timing of the wind increase, which will control how quickly slabs form and how widespread they become. If snowfall shuts off early and winds are slow to build, the hazard may remain LOW longer and may not reach MODERATE by sunset. However, if we reach the upper end of forecast snowfall (around 3 inches today) and northwest winds ramp up early, the hazard could rise to MODERATE before sunset, with natural wind slab avalanches becoming possible as slabs thicken.

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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