Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

You are unlikely to trigger an avalanche on slopes with firm, wind-affected snow. However, you could find isolated areas of unstable soft snow in steep, wind-protected terrain. Watch out for steep slopes above 3000 feet, on eastern aspects, where the snow becomes softer underfoot. Continuous snowpack evaluation and traveling on the firm, wind textured snow will help to avoid the avalanche hazard today. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    In isolated, steep, wind-protected areas, you may find pockets of softer wind slabs. These slabs will be variable in size and sensitivity based on elevation. Approach these areas of softer snow with caution before deciding to travel across them. The most likely places to find this avalanche problem is on steep north, east and south-facing slopes between 3000 and 5000 feet in elevation near terrain features that provide shelter from the wind, such as cliff bands, steep rollovers, and tight gullies. 

    Don’t assume the snow low down in avalanche paths is representative of the snowpack in the middle or upper sections of the same avalanche path - it will likely be variable by elevation. Remember that even a small avalanche in steep terrain can have serious consequences in areas with obstacles or terrain traps below.

Avalanche Discussion

Low avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. All of your standard safety protocols still apply. Continue to carry rescue gear, travel one at a time through avalanche terrain, and watch for signs of instability. Remember that small avalanches can have bad outcomes in steep consequential terrain. Before committing to skiing a slope, think about where an avalanche could carry you. Could you get pushed over cliffs or through trees? Slopes with these terrain traps are inherently more dangerous than open slopes with a clean runout.

Extreme winds continued to actively load eastern aspects throughout the day yesterday (Obs 1, Obs 2). Small Dry Loose avalanches were also observed at middle elevations in steep terrain. 

For the past 12 hours, winds have been out of the west at 70 - 80 mph. This has likely stiffened old wind slabs on easterly aspects while scouring upper elevations and windward aspects. However, continued wind loading from yesterday, along with a possibility of a trace of new snow on decreasing winds today, lead to some uncertainty about the sensitivity of the isolated wind slabs at middle elevations. It may be possible to find stubborn wind slabs large enough to bury a person in steep east-facing terrain between 3000 and 5000 feet of elevation. There is also the possibility of finding smaller, more reactive wind slabs at this elevation band that have formed from the past 24 hours of wind loading in eastern aspects. Continuous snowpack evaluation and noticing deeper boot penetration will be an effective way to identify these differences as you travel today. If you are seeing softer snow under your feet, evaluate it carefully. Watch for red flags as indicators of snowpack instability and travel on wind textured or scoured snow surfaces to limit your exposure to the avalanche hazard today. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation 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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