Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

You are unlikely to trigger an avalanche where the snow surface is hard, icy, and crusty. In wind-protected areas where new snow has collected, you may be able to trigger a small avalanche in wind-drifted snow. Dig down to the icy crust to assess snowpack structure and size. You have found today’s avalanche problem if you are sinking into new snow past your ankles.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    It will be easy to find a firm, icy snow surface in avalanche terrain today, but watch out for wind-protected areas on southeast aspects where new snow has accumulated more than a few inches. In these areas where the slick snow surface has been buried by small new wind slabs, it is possible to trigger small avalanches. Expect new wind slabs to be poorly bonded to the old snow surface. Dig down to this new snow and old snow interface to assess slab depth, sensitivity, and variability. 

    Today’s avalanche problem is expected to be small or not present in many areas, however even triggering a small avalanche in the current icy conditions could have terrible consequences in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect to find a firm and icy snow surface today that is widespread across avalanche terrain. You will need crampons, an ice ax, and sound mountaineering skills in order to safely travel in steep terrain today.

Snow showers today will be falling on a firm, sometimes icy snow surface which will make it difficult for new snow to bond. You may see new snow easily sluffing off steep slopes if it is having trouble bonding and forming thin slabs. The small amounts of new snow doesn’t greatly increase today’s avalanche hazard, but is worth keeping on your radar and something that could make your footing less secure in steeper terrain where icy conditions increase the consequences of a fall. 

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