Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger a small avalanche in wind-drifted snow on steep east and south-facing slopes. Look for pillowy drifts of smooth snow to identify potential areas of unstable snow. Traveling on textured and hard snow surfaces limits your exposure to triggering an avalanche today.  

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    What and where is it: Look for recently formed wind slabs in wind-sheltered terrain features above 3000 feet in elevation. You are most likely to find these in east and south-facing terrain, with the largest slabs likely to be found in middle elevation. 

    How can you recognize it:  Start with visual route planning of the steep terrain that you plan to travel on. Look for variations in surface textures and mentally flag smooth or loaded features to further assess. Use a pole to track slab size and connectivity. Dig down in the snow with your hand or shovel to the hard old snow interface to assess sensitivity.

    How can you manage it: Areas that are smooth and pillowy warrant additional assessment before you commit to crossing. If you are finding drifts deeper than your boot tops, take time to assess the sensitivity before committing to traveling on that drift. Consider traveling on the old snow surface that is firm and textured to avoid deeper drifts of new snow. Areas where you will be most likely to encounter wind slabs will be in wind-sheltered terrain features like under cliffs or in gullies.

Avalanche Discussion

While these newly formed wind slabs may be in the process of settling, they should not be fully out of your mind yet. With mostly clear visibility, your eyes will be your best tool to assess the snow surfaces and choose travel that either limits your exposure or allows you to gather more information on slab sensitivity. 

Yesterday when the summit wind speeds decreased from the mid 70s mph to the mid 40s mph, slabs may have begun to form higher in terrain and in start zones. Another scenario forecasters discussed was that cold snow may saltate and form icy grains that don’t typically build cohesive or reactive slabs and pool in aprons at the bottom of gullies. 

Today, temperatures in ravines are forecast to warm to 26 F. The high wind speeds forecast are likely going to limit the surface snow from warming and, over time, prompt settlement of the snowpack. If wind speeds are on the low end, you may see signs of warming from the ambient air temperature and solar gain with moistening snow surfaces. In low elevations, you may encounter small point releases if you find soft snow in steep terrain as temperatures rise to near 28 F. 

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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