Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago.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

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche is unlikely. Still, watch for small pockets of smooth, wind-drifted snow on steep east-facing terrain, where even a small slide could have serious consequences due to the steep, firm surfaces.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    What and where is it: You could find small slabs of wind drifted snow in wind-protected areas of steep, east-facing terrain above 3000 feet in elevation. Where slabs exist, they are generally small and limited in size, most commonly found at mid elevations in sheltered gullies, below rollovers, and behind terrain features that collect drifting snow. The Summer Lion Head Trail and the Gulf of Slides are examples of where these drifts have been seen.How can you recognize it: Watch for areas of snow with a smooth, rounded, or pillowy surface where your feet penetrate deeper than the tops of your boots. Dig into the snow and use shear or compression tests to better understand the sensitivity of any small wind slabs.How can you manage it: If you find a slab deeper than boot-top, stop and assess how big it is, how continuous it is, and what’s below it, as it may be more consequential. Travel on firm, wind-hardened surfaces if you find a concerning area of deeper, softer wind slab.

Avalanche Discussion

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

Overall, the snowpack is stable in most areas. In many areas, like Tuckerman Ravine, you may have a hard time finding an avalanche problem. However, isolated pockets of wind slab still exist in highly sheltered terrain below about 4500 feet and should be evaluated before committing to traveling on them. Recent field observations found a mix of wind-scoured surfaces with small, wind-drifted pockets confined to sheltered terrain features. 

Overnight, watch for up to 2 inches of low-density snow falling on moderate west winds which could have the potential to create new, very small but sensitive wind slabs on steep, east-facing slopes. 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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