Presidential Range

You are unlikely to trigger an avalanche today on refrozen and firm snow surfaces.  A mountaineering mindset and tools, including crampons, ice axes, and helmets, will be necessary for preventing a fall in steep terrain. 

The biggest hazard you may encounter today will be refrozen surfaces that could cause a fall in steep terrain. Crampons, an ice axe (or two), helmet, and the skills to use them will be needed in steep terrain. Previous warming and fog has eaten away at the snowpack exposing more rocks and trees that could amplify the consequence of a fall. 

The combination of partly clear skies, warming temperatures, and decreasing winds may cause solar aspects to soften in the afternoon. Remember that it takes time to soften and that surfaces can flash freeze once they go into the shade. With increasing cloud coverage forecast throughout the day, there is the potential for this to happen depending on the timing. Pay attention to cloud coverage and solar gain on snow surfaces to see if softening does occur. Having waited for lines to soften that have not, it may be in your best interest to wait to climb until the snow begins to soften so you are not stuck at the top. If this does happen, remember there are various hiking trails that could offer a safer descent.

Overnight 1-4 inches of snow is forecast to accumulate before shifting to a winter mix in the early hours of the morning. This is unlikely to build large avalanche problems, but there is the potential for a small window of hazard when the winds ramp and transports snow before sleet, freezing rain, and rain cap snow and limit further transport. With south and southwest winds ramping, look for building slabs on north, northeast, and eastern aspects. 

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.