Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Mostly stable avalanche conditions exist, and large avalanches are unlikely. Evaluate soft, wind drifted snow carefully, especially in steep consequential terrain. Travel on firm snow surfaces to reduce your chances of triggering an avalanche today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Between 4000 and 5500 feet, expect to find wind slabs that are variable in size and location. The most likely place to find a wind slab is on steep south west, south and south east aspects where steep terrain features provide ample protection from the wind. In most areas, recently formed wind slabs have been shown to be relatively small, and stubborn or unreactive.These slabs are easy to differentiate from the textured firm bed surface. 

    Traveling on the old, crusty snow surface can greatly help to avoid the avalanche problem today. Assess areas of softer snow carefully by digging down to the old crust layer to observe stability and snowpack structure before deciding to travel on a soft snow surface.

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.

Over the last two days, winds from the north in the Presidential Range have gradually shifted snow, as observed in multiple observations (OBS 1, OBS 2, OBS 3). This process has led to the formation of wind slabs, though these slabs have generally been small and stubborn to unreactive. Following forecaster fieldwork over these two days and incorporating numerous observations from the public, our team felt confident enough to lower the avalanche hazard rating from Moderate to Low. This decision was primarily influenced by a deeper understanding of the potential size of avalanches and sensitivity within these slabs. The question arises: could someone potentially trigger a size 2 (D2) avalanche today, one large enough to bury a person? It’s unlikely, but given the current snowpack structure it’s not impossible should you find one large slab lurking somewhere. Don’t let your guard down when traveling on the softer snow 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.

Regions covered