Bollettino valanghe

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
Vedi sulla mappa

Pericolo valanghe

Fri
Alta quota
3 · Marcato
Limite del bosco
3 · Marcato
Sotto il limite
1 · Debole
Open full map
Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 8 months ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

Large natural and human-triggered avalanches are possible on steep east-facing slopes today. Blowing and drifting snow, and finding snow deeper than your boot tops are your best clues. Manage your exposure by limiting your time underneath connected avalanche paths and traveling one at a time.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–2

    What and where is it: 5 inches of snow yesterday and consistently strong southwest winds loaded snow into north and east-facing terrain. In these aspects, you may find large wind slabs that you could trigger. 

    Winds shifted west overnight, and with upslope snow on the forecast today, look out for loading snow in south and east-facing terrain. This is the terrain where you will encounter today’s problem and where large natural avalanches are possible.

    How can you recognize it: Blowing and accumulating snow are signs of actively developing wind slabs. Look out for bright white and pillowy snow to identify drifted snow. You may also encounter shooting cracks. 

    How can you manage it: In northern aspects, dig down to the firm old snow surface and use column tests and hand shears to assess sensitivity. In east and south-facing terrain, assess the new snow and softer old snow interface. If you choose to travel higher into avalanche terrain, continually assess the snow every 100 feet or so with hand shears and boot penetration. You are likely to encounter a patchwork of snow depths and should continually assess size and sensitivity.

Avalanche Discussion

The uncertainty today is around snow totals. The likely culprit is the challenge in forecasting upslope snow showers, as it is terrain-dependent. This means the slab depth is likely to change both across and up terrain. Assess slab size from visual observation first, if possible. Then, as you move through steep east-facing avalanche terrain, continually assess the slab depth from both boot penetration and hand shears. Also, please share what you find for slab depths and the sensitivity of the old snow interface, if you choose to travel in terrain today. 

The strong to extreme profile of forecasted winds will eventually begin to decrease the avalanche hazard, but this process takes time and is not always clear when the winds shift from loading to scouring and firming surfaces. Don’t assume firm snow equals stability later in the day. 

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. 

Regioni coperte