Presidential Range

While triggering an avalanche is unlikely, LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. If you encounter smooth older snow surfaces that feel or sound hollow, dig down to investigate the snowpack. If snow begins to accumulate, look for thin, small wind drifts as new areas of potentially unstable snow; this will appear smooth, bright white, and softer than the surrounding hard snow. 

Traveling on firm, textured, and wind-hardened snow surfaces will limit your exposure to potential avalanches today.

The snowpack in most areas is generally stable, but remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. Use normal caution while traveling in avalanche terrain and make observations throughout the day to inform your decision-making. 

New Wind Slabs: Thin new wind slabs could form in easterly terrain as northwest winds increase this afternoon. Given the low probability of precipitation, little to no slab formation is expected, but if slabs do form, they are likely to be small and thin. These slabs will be easily identifiable as smooth, bright white areas of softer, drifted snow.

The primary hazard is the potential for a fall in steep terrain, as new snow may take time to bond to the old, firm snow surface. Look out for blowing snow at ridgelines as a sign that small slabs may be developing. If you encounter drifted snow, assess the interface with the old surface using hand shears.

Old Wind Slabs: Old, lingering wind slabs in steep, easterly ravines are mostly wind-hardened and unreactive. The combination of time and mild temperatures has likely promoted settlement. While poor snowpack structure has been found in some areas, the hardness of the snowpack is effectively preventing a person’s weight from impacting weak layers below.

While unlikely, it is still possible to find a thin spot in the snowpack and trigger an old, hard wind slab. This is most likely in the steepest terrain where convexities or unsupported slopes exist.

Low Elevation: If you are traveling in avalanche terrain at lower elevations (below 3,000 feet), remember that avalanches can still occur in isolated areas where there is enough snow on a slope to slide. There is currently limited terrain in Crawford Notch and other low-elevation areas capable of producing an avalanche. However, if you seek out the biggest, most developed snow slopes in this terrain, avalanches remain a possibility.

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.