Presidential Range

You are unlikely to trigger an avalanche today, but be prepared to encounter a firm and refrozen snowpack before temperatures rise and soften some surfaces. Look for a surface crust that will appear dull gray or even slightly shiny in some areas, moistening snow will be a sign of softening surfaces. Mountaineering tools like an ice axe, crampons, a helmet, along with the skills to use them, could help prevent a fall in steep terrain today.

The last two days have had continued warm and mild temperatures that have settled the wind slabs formed on March 4th. Steep snow surfaces exposed to the sun have formed melt-freeze crusts that may be firm today. With temperatures forecast to rise near freezing, these crusts and firm snow could soften again later today. However, with overcast skies today, solar gain will not add to warming or softening snow surfaces. In northern aspects and terrain that is protected from the sun, you may encounter cold and dry snow that has not become wet and formed a crust from solar gain. 

Take time to identify the snow surface and assess whether it has softened or remained firm and refrozen. Softening snow will appear moist and you should be able to easily form a snowball with it. Refrozen surfaces will be firm, often with a dull gray crust that may appear shiny in places. An ice axe or crampon can sometimes easily make purchase in firm snow, so consider using your fist to gently press into the surface to assess how firm the snow is across a larger area.

Mixed precipitation is forecast today, with the potential for snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The low precipitation amount, coupled with moderate winds and mixed precipitation type is not likely to form an avalanche problem. However, if freezing rain forms ice layers on the surface, it could add firm conditions that could contribute to a fall. 

Outlook: Looking ahead, temperatures will rise well above freezing at all elevations on Saturday with over a half inch of rain forecast. This will elevate avalanche hazard and wet snow avalanches should be top of mind. Wet snow avalanches are difficult to forecast, and due to the wet and dense debris, can be incredibly destructive. 

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.