Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

With rain and above-freezing temperatures, watch for pockets of loose wet snow in avalanche terrain today.  If heading into the backcountry, consider choosing lower angle slopes to reduce the chance of triggering a wet snow avalanche. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    What and where is it: Small, unreactive pockets of wet loose snow may be found in steep terrain today. You could trigger a small avalanche in spots where there is a thinner or no ice crust present, and the snow has an opportunity to become saturated. 

    How can you recognize it: Watch for areas of unconsolidated and gloppy snow. Look for roller balls on the surface of the snow, snow falling off of rocks in steep terrain, and soft snow that is wet to the touch as signs of avalanche hazard. How can you manage it: Assess the saturation of the snow surface while moving through avalanche terrain, and look for signs of snow shedding off of surfaces, like rocks, naturally.

Avalanche Discussion

Yesterday's variable weather produced mixed conditions in avalanche terrain, with an ice crust that limited the wet loose problem in areas. Today will see warming temperatures that will bring surface temperatures to above freezing, which will cause snow to become wet. Precipitation has also switched entirely to rain. Although the rain will begin to taper off into the late afternoon, it will still provide moisture to the snow during the day. 

With today's warming temperatures and the switch to rain at all elevations, any remaining dry snow will have the opportunity to become saturated. However, the amount of snow that could slide may be limited. The loose wet snow that may be found today will be specific to areas that did not have a substantial crust that formed yesterday, and will likely be unreactive and small in size. This does not mean there is no avalanche risk, and there is still the possibility of triggering a small avalanche in steep terrain today. 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.

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