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

As temperatures rise today, dangerous avalanche conditions will develop on steep south and east facing aspects. Areas of snow that are large enough to bury people and damage trees may avalanche naturally or from the weight of a person. Sunshine will increase snow melt and add to the danger. Use conservative route choices to limit your exposure in steep terrain today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Dangerous wet slab avalanches that are sensitive to human triggers and may trigger naturally are likely on south and east aspects between 3000 and 5000 feet of elevation. These wet slabs will develop as sunshine and warm temperatures add meltwater to existing wind slabs and may be large enough to bury a person. In isolated areas, wet slabs could be large enough to bury people, damage trees and reach further down in runout zones. This avalanche problem can be challenging to predict due to its lack of warning signs. Use caution when traveling in or under steep terrain today and consider avoiding steep snow-loaded slopes as they rapidly warm.

Avalanche Discussion

Forecasters in terrain yesterday saw evidence of widespread avalanche activity on eastern aspects and a significant increase in snow coverage since Saturday March 9th. Avalanche debris in the bottom of Tuckerman Ravine was approximately 6 feet in depth and spread beyond Levy Rock. Wind texture was seen throughout terrain and wind loaded snow still existed on most steep slopes, including areas of the upper elevation band.

Today, temperatures will quickly rise to above freezing. The summit of Mount Washington is expected to be above freezing by mid morning with ravine level temperatures approaching close to 40 degrees F by midday. Adding to the warming of the snowpack will be ample sunshine. This will create a period of instability that is difficult to predict. Yesterday's observed wind slabs, which were in the D2 to D2.5 range, could become saturated from meltwater and be large wet slabs today. Density changes within these slabs may make them more sensitive to human and natural triggers. 

The difficulty to predict this type of avalanche problem is compounded by the destructive ability they have. Wet slab avalanches can have high consequences regardless of their size due to the heavy dense nature of the snow. With a lack of warning signs and the opportunity for these wet slabs to be large, consider limiting your exposure to steep terrain today.  

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