Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

As snow starts to accumulate later today, you could trigger an avalanche in wind drifted snow large enough to bury a person on steep south, west, and north facing slopes. This hazard will increase overnight from heavy snowfall and avalanches may release spontaneously in steep terrain over 3000 feet in elevation. Watch out for increasing snowfall and use conservative terrain choices to help reduce your exposure to the hazard.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As snow begins to accumulate later in the day, you could trigger a wind slab avalanche on steep south, west, and north facing slopes. These slabs will be developing throughout the upcoming storm, however, they will be limited in size during the daytime hours today due to low snow totals. Overnight they will quickly become large enough to bury people, may avalanche naturally, and will be more distributed throughout steep terrain. Use conservative terrain choices today once the snow begins and be aware of the increasing avalanche danger as snow accumulates later today and overnight.

Avalanche Discussion

A significant Nor’easter will begin impacting the forecast area today and an AVALANCHE WATCH has been issued through Friday evening. While snow totals  have decreased from the original outlook for today, the forecast area is still expected to see up to 2 feet of snow with strong east winds which will create dangerous avalanche conditions during the storm.

Today will likely start as a LOW hazard rating. Expect to find a mostly stable, consolidated and refrozen snowpack across the Presidential Range. Springtime hazards will be the main concern until snow starts to fall, and proper mountaineering equipment and skills will be necessary to safely navigate steep terrain. However, once snow begins to accumulate, the avalanche hazard will quickly increase throughout the forecast area. 

Today the forecasting team came in at MODERATE hazard rating based on the limited daytime snow totals forecasted for today. However, if upslope snow showers start by mid-afternoon, this would make wind slab development more likely for today and the avalanche hazard would be increasing. These wind slabs will be isolated to middle elevation terrain due to new snow falling on rock at upper elevations. However these slabs will continue to increase in size and sensitivity throughout the night as the highest snow rates will be overnight into tomorrow morning. This will increase their size and distribution to all aspects at elevations above 3000 feet by tomorrow. 

Today the avalanche hazard will be dynamic and increasing. If traveling in avalanche terrain, continuously monitor the weather and snowpack conditions. Blowing snow, shooting cracks under your feet and recent avalanche activity are all indicators that the avalanche hazard is increasing and conservative terrain choices should be made.

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