Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger a large avalanche in soft, wind-drifted snow in north, east, and south-facing steep terrain above 3000 ft; as snow continues to accumulate avalanches could occur naturally. Signs of dangerous avalanche conditions will be blowing snow at ridgelines, drifts of snow accumulating deeper than your boot tops, and shooting cracks in the snow. Limit your time underneath overhead hazard and continually assess the old snow interface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it: 5.12 inches of new snow, as of 5:30 AM, snow will load into north, east, and south-facing terrain above 3000 ft. 1-3 inches of additional snow throughout the day will add to the size of newly developing slabs.

    How can you recognize it: Newly forming slabs will be soft, pillowy, and bright white, which will be in contrast to the 12/19 melt-freeze crust that was observed to be still exposed in some steep east-facing terrain. In northern aspects, there are various older hard slabs on top of this crust; in south-facing terrain, slab structure has been observed to be softer. In either case, today’s bed surface is likely to be the melt-freeze crust, so it is worth digging down to that layer to assess sensitivity. Visual assessments will be difficult with blowing snow and clouds, which will make assessing terrain more challenging.  How can you manage it: If you choose to travel in steep north, east, or south-facing avalanche terrain today, continually assess surface conditions as they are likely to change throughout the day. If you encounter shooting cracks and drifts deeper than your boot tops, those are signs of reactive and large slabs. Dig down to the 12/19 melt-freeze crust and use hand shears or column tests to assess sensitivity. Limit your time underneath large and connected avalanche paths to reduce your exposure to this hazard.

Avalanche Discussion

With moderate to strong winds, today’s avalanche hazard will continually increase as slabs grow and become increasingly sensitive to trigger. The winds are likely to form slabs high in start zones, and all of the snow in the path is snow that could be entrained in a slide, which will be large enough to bury you. 

Traveling in avalanche terrain will be complex today as visibility will be limited; it will be challenging to assess snow surfaces, as clouds and blowing snow will obscure visibility. It will also be difficult to assess if another party is above or below you. Avalanche safety equipment, including a beacon, probe, shovel, and experience using them, will be essential today. 

Looking ahead, continued snow, cold temperatures, and increasing winds tomorrow will keep an elevated avalanche hazard into Christmas Day.

Remember that slabs are most sensitive as they load, and they will continue to load throughout the day. Continual assessment as you move through terrain and throughout the day will be necessary if you choose to enter avalanche terrain. You choose the hazard that you are willing to expose yourself to, and with rocks and trees exposed in runouts, it may be worth discussing more conservative terrain choices. 

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. 

Regions covered