Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions will develop as new snow accumulates today. You could trigger an avalanche large enough to bury you in steep, east-facing, terrain above 3000 feet in elevation. Make conservative terrain choices and limit your exposure under steep slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it:

    New snow and wind today will build wind slabs on steep, easterly aspects. These wind slabs could be sensitive to triggers or avalanche naturally. In areas with well-developed avalanche terrain, like Tuckerman Ravine or the Summer Lion’s Head trail, avalanches could run the full extent of their paths.

    How can you recognize it: 

    Accumulating snow, strong winds and blowing snow will make it difficult to identify new wind slabs in avalanche terrain today. Blowing snow at ridgelines, shooting cracks under your feet or soft snow that is deeper than the top of your boot, are all warning signs of the avalanche problem.

    How can you manage it:

    Limit time under steep east-facing slopes above 3000 feet. Look for wind-scoured and wind-textured areas to travel on. Identify warning signs of developing wind slabs and make conservative terrain choices to avoid this hazard.

Avalanche Discussion

Today there is the potential for up to 10 inches of new snow on the summit of Mount Washington by 5:00pm. This new snow on moderate-strong southwest, west and northwest winds, has the potential of building large wind slabs in steep east-facing terrain..

Potentially adding to the size of today’s problem are wind slabs from yesterday. The summit of Mount Washington recorded 2.6 inches of snow yesterday with extreme west winds. Although these older wind slabs may not be as sensitive to triggers, they may still exist in isolated areas of steep terrain.

As winds shift today, there is some uncertainty to the overall size of wind slabs, especially if snow totals favor the lower side of forecasted accumulations. However, wind speeds and a slight increase in temperature will assist any new snow in the development of wind slabs. Regardless of snow totals, cautious, strategic travel in east-facing avalanche terrain will still be necessary today.

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. 

LEDGE BREWING SPEAKER SERIES: Join the Mount Washington Avalanche Center this Thursday, January 30th from 6-8 pm at Ledge Brewing for the first of a monthly speaker series that will explore weather, rescues, forecasts, and more.  This Thursday, MWAC Director, Jeff Fongemie,  will kick off the series with "Anatomy of a Great Gulf Rescue: A Case Study".  Admission is free, but register here.

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