Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Large avalanches are unlikely today. The greatest potential for triggering an avalanche is limited to isolated areas of drifted snow which escaped the recent high winds and remained soft enough to push a boot into. As the day warms up, the threat of wet snow avalanches will increase on steep slopes that face the sun. Be alert to changing snow conditions and seek out colder snow or low angle slopes if the surface snow gets wet. Icy terrain at the ridge tops and on shady aspects are not likely to soften today, and will present a sliding fall hazard. Avalanche danger is LOW.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Very high winds scoured and drifted this past weekend’s snow at mid and upper elevations. Northwest winds in the 70-90 mph range were consistent since the start of snowfall the evening of March 13th, creating firm 1F & P wind slabs on aspects in the lee of the wind. These firm slabs have proven themselves to be stubborn, though don’t rule out the possibility of finding a trigger point such as a thin spot. Softer slabs exist in locations protected from the wind at mid elevations. These will be more sensitive to a human trigger though small in size.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Warm temperatures and strong sun may bring wet snow problems to the table today. If you find yourself traveling on steep slopes with wet snow on top, triggering one of these slides will be possible. Pay attention to the snow surface as you travel, dig down with your hands. If you are finding wet snow (easy to make a snowball) more than a few inches deep, it's a good idea to avoid steep slopes. A small wet-loose avalanche initiated under your skis is capable of pulling you off balance, resulting in a fall. 

Avalanche Discussion

Clear skies and moderate seasonable temperatures allowed for quality field time yesterday, by both MWAC forecasters and skiers/boarders. We visited The Lip area of Tuckerman Ravine to explore and assess the stability of the large, smooth wind slabs seen from a distance yesterday. The new slabs built from recent snow are over 24” thick in places with snow hardness on the surface ranging from pencil to 1 finger. Digging down to the melt freeze crust we found only a slight hardness change ( 1F+ ↓ 1F) ( 1F ↓ 4F+) midway down between the surface and the MF crust. Stability tests presented good snow stability with no or little propagation at the density change. The new snow was well bonded to the MF crust at our locations. Skiers provided information for ski penetration on the larger wind slabs, displaying perhaps one inch ski penetration with some turns, and almost none with other turns. 

Strong sun and warmer air today will likely add some degree of wetness to the softer snow found tucked here and there, but may not be enough to soften the exposed MF crust scattered about the terrain.

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Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the forecasters at MWAC. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations here. 

Listen to the weekly MWAC Outreach Podcast provided by Ski The Whites. Discussions include snowpack information, weekend outlook, and general avalanche related info. 

Our next free online event is coming up Thursday, March 18 @ 7PM -Women’s Backcountry Talk- A Free Zoom Webinar. Signup is required. 

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed inside the cabin. There is no access to the breezeway at HoJos.

Please Remember:

  • Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.
  • Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.

For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or seasonally at the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.

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