Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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 find very small drifts of new snow in steep terrain that may easily slide off the old snow surface under your weight. Watch out for soft drifts of new snow that are deeper than 3 inches and use your hand, a shovel, or a pole to understand how well new snow is sticking to the old snow surface. Remember that even a small avalanche could be enough to cause a dangerous fall in steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    What and where is it:1 inch of new snow falling on moderate winds overnight may have formed small, soft drifts above 4000 feet on east-facing slopes. Overnight, watch out for additional snowfall and increasing, shifting winds that could be increasing the size, sensitivity, and distribution of small new windslabs.In isolated areas, older and thicker wind slabs have been observed on east-facing and slopes at middle elevations. Examples of these locations are low in the Gulf of Slides gullies and the Summer Lion Head Trail. These isolated areas have been unreactive, but are worth considering.

    How can you recognize it: Look for areas of wind drifted snow that are 3 inches thick or greater. This could mean you have found a very small, but sensitive wind slab. Dig down to the hard, old snow surface to understand how easily drifts of new snow slide on the hard snow underneath. How can you manage it: Pay close attention to the presence and distribution of new snow drifts. Make field observations throughout the day to identify if this avalanche problem exists, and if it does, consider the consequences of triggering even a small avalanche in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

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

In many areas, you may not find an avalanche problem, but instead, an inch or two of unconsolidated snow on top of a hard, old snow surface. If you do find drifts of new snow, expect them to be relatively thin, but have the potential to slide or sluff easily on the hard, old snow surface.With new snow and increasing, shifting winds overnight, there is a potential for increasing avalanche hazard into tomorrow. Expect new snow and winds to increase the depth, sensitivity, and distribution of new wind slabs. 

In areas where there is no new wind drifted snow, the snowpack is generally stable. However, isolated pockets of older wind slab with a poor snowpack structure still exist in highly sheltered terrain below about 4500 feet. Though they have not produced an avalanche and are unreactive, consider evaluating these areas before committing to traveling on them. Older wind slabs have been reported in highly wind-protected areas like the Gulf of Slides and the Summer Lion Head Trail.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