Bollettino valanghe

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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

In sintesi

You could trigger a small avalanche today in wind-drifted snow on steep north and east-facing terrain above 3,000 feet. Look for blowing snow at ridgelines as signs that new drifts could be forming. Be cautious of bright white, smooth, pillowy looking drifts  - these are the most likely places to find unstable slabs. Favor travel on firm, refrozen surfaces to reduce your chances of triggering a slide.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    1–1.5

    What and where is it: About 1.5 inches of low-density new snow, transported by strong west to northwest winds, has formed small wind slabs in steep east-facing lee terrain. After last night’s wind increase, upper elevations were likely scoured of most new snow, so expect wind-drifted pockets to be found primarily at mid elevations, especially in sheltered gullies and behind terrain features that collect drifting snow.

    How can you recognize it: Look for signs of active wind transport, including blowing snow along ridgelines and freshly formed drifts. Wind slabs often appear as smooth, rounded, or pillowy deposits that are brighter white than the surrounding snow. They may sound hollow or drum-like underfoot and can crack or move as you step onto them.

    How can you manage it:  Manage this problem by avoiding smooth, wind-drifted snow on steep slopes, especially in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Wind slabs are expected to be shallow, generally boot-top deep or less, but depth can vary in sheltered pockets. If you find a slab deeper than boot-top, stop and assess how big it is, how continuous it is, and what’s below it, as it may be more consequential.

Avalanche Discussion

Today’s avalanche hazard is very similar to yesterday. Yesterday morning, about 1.5 inches of very low-density snow fell, ending by late morning. While it was falling, west winds around 40 mph transported the new snow and built small wind slabs in lee terrain.  While slabs are likely to be thin, rapidly increasing winds may have created a strong-over-weak structure, and very cold temperatures will keep them slow to stabilize. Overnight, winds increased significantly and likely scoured upper-elevation terrain, leaving any remaining slabs confined to sheltered, wind-protected areas at mid elevations, where they may now be stiff but shallow.

Today, a small amount of additional snow is possible, but accumulations should remain light and the snow very low density. With continued strong west winds, any new snow will be easily transported and could add a little size or distribution to wind slabs at mid elevations, while upper elevations remain largely stripped. Watch for blowing snow at ridgelines and fresh drifts forming. It’s also possible that most available snow has already been removed, resulting in very thin or absent slabs in many areas.

Travel advice remains straightforward: favor firm, scoured, and icy surfaces to reduce your exposure to avalanche terrain, but recognize that these surfaces increase the risk of a slip or fall that can be difficult to stop on steep slopes. Good crampon technique is your best defense, and an ice axe and helmet remain valuable tools.

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. 

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