Presidential Range

The snowpack is generally stable and avalanches are unlikely. Use normal caution by carrying avalanche rescue gear and watch out for heavy, wet snow that could slide under your feet on steep slopes. Crampons, ice axes, and helmets help reduce the risk of a fall in steep terrain.

Summit-level temperatures have remained above freezing for over 30 hours, softening, settling, and melting the snowpack. In most areas, expect to find a wet, soft snow surface with harder, stable snow underneath. The surface snow could cause heavy sluffing or small loose wet avalanches in very steep terrain from a footstep or a ski turn. As the temperature continues to warm today, small, naturally triggered loose wet avalanches are not impossible, especially in steep ravines like, Tuckerman Ravine, Huntington Ravine, or Great Gulf. 

Remember that LOW avalanche danger does not mean no avalanche danger. People traveling in and around avalanche terrain should continue to use caution. Even a small sluff in steep, technical terrain can have serious consequences. Sound travel practices, including careful route selection appropriate to your skill level, awareness of changing surface conditions, and carrying a beacon, probe, and shovel, can help keep you safe today. 

While surface snow will be soft in many areas today, this does not eliminate the need for crampons and an ice axe in steep terrain. Be prepared for variable surface conditions, including hard, slick snow where a fall could have serious consequences.

Finally, spring hazards are an increasing concern as warm temperatures continue. In Tuckerman Ravine, the combination of warm air and rain showers late in the day increases the possibility of large icefall from the headwall and ice cliffs. Car-sized blocks of ice are looming above popular slopes, and these can release without warning as the day warms. Icefall has injured or killed people on the floor of Tuckerman Ravine in past years, and today’s conditions warrant increased caution. Avoid lingering under ice cliffs and stay aware of what is above you.

Due to a lack of snowpack or the ability of the terrain to support a significant avalanche problem, we have currently stopped forecasting for low elevations, below 3000 feet. 

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.