Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger an avalanche on steep west, south and east facing slopes as sun and warm temperatures affect the snowpack. Watch for rollerballs and deeper boot penetration into wet sticky snow to indicate the avalanche danger is increasing and choose shaded areas to help reduce your exposure to the avalanche hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Today warm temperatures along with ample sunshine will increase sensitivity within old wind slabs creating a wet slab problem. These wet slabs will range in size and are possible on steep west, south and east facing slopes at all elevations today. Depending on the size of old wind slabs that will warm today, along with the amount of solar gain they receive and the ambient air temperature, a wet slab avalanche may be large enough to carry a person into consequential terrain. If you are seeing rollerballs, experiencing deeper boot penetration or can wring water out of the snow, the avalanche hazard is increasing. Use careful snowpack evaluation and travel in shaded locations to help reduce your exposure to this avalanche problem.

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In isolated, steep, south facing slopes like Oakes Gulf, dangerous wind slabs that are large enough to bury a person exist. These large slabs are stubborn to react but create a low probability high consequence scenario. The weak layer interface is found deep in the snowpack and therefore there are very little warning signs to indicate the hazard. Evaluate the slab carefully, use safe travel techniques and avoid areas of convexed roll-overs to help reduce your exposure to this avalanche problem.

    Looking at crownline from Feb 5, 2024 in Main Gully Oakes Gulf.

Avalanche Discussion

The forecast area saw light winds, and sunny skies yesterday. Isolated pockets of small wind slabs were observed in steep areas in the terrain. Temperatures were mild and wind slabs on steep south aspects may have seen an increase in stability from solar gain and light winds.

Today, mild temperatures and sunshine will continue in the forecast area. While this will promote bonding within the snowpack for the long-term, in the short-term sensitivity will increase throughout the day. Solar gain will cause melting and as water moves through the upper layers of the snowpack, small wet slab avalanches are possible.

In areas of thicker, older wind slabs on isolated southern slopes, the warming today may not affect the weak layer interface deeper in the snowpack. These slabs are stubborn in sensitivity but are large enough to bury a person. These may be difficult to identify and thorough snowpack evaluation is necessary before committing to steep south facing slopes. 

If traveling on steep west, south or east facing slopes, use careful snowpack assessment like hand shears and column tests, to identify areas of concern. If you are seeing rollerballs or an increase in boot penetration into wet sticky snow, you are finding the avalanche hazard and cautious terrain choices should be made. Finding areas of shade and traveling on frozen bed surfaces will help to reduce your risk today.

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