Presidential Range

Light density snowfall, and wind that is prime for building slabs, continue to keep avalanche danger elevated. Heightened avalanche conditions continue in east facing ravines due to continued wind loading and light snow today. Large human triggered avalanches are possible in isolated areas, particularly in Tuckerman Ravine. Avalanche danger remains at MODERATE. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully though poor visibility will make this challenging. Shooting cracks and aprons of sluff near and below steep terrain are signals to seek out lower angled terrain for skiing and riding. Exposed ice crust creates a long sliding fall hazard in scoured areas.

Tomorrow will bring the strongest wind in the previous 3 days, building much larger slabs with natural avalanches possible or more locations.

The Lion Head Summer Trail remains the best option if climbing to the summit from Pinkham Notch. Be sure to check the slatboards for the trail status.

The low density snow that has fallen over the past three days has been drifting into new wind slabs that are likely to be sensitive to a person climbing or skiing. In sheltered areas such as Chute, these slabs may be "wall to wall" across the gully with little chance to avoid travelling through the instability. These are not the hard and stubborn  wind slabs we see after high wind events and will be more easily triggered as a result. Step down potential though the 1/16 ice crust remains uncertain but remains something to track as cold temperatures allow moisture from the crust to be cannibalized by high vapor pressure differentials. This ice crust is exposed or just below these wind slabs making long sliding falls possible and will make escape from an avalanche even more difficult. 

Higher elevation ski trails are snow covered with most but not all obstacles buried. Rocks remain a problem, particularly on the Gulf of Slides ski trail.

Details on daily snowfall totals, precipitation type, total depth of snow, and other information can be found on our page devoted to snow study plot data. Click here to check it out. Data collected hourly by the new automated weather station at Hermit Lake can be found hereand graphically here.

Recent snowpack and avalanche observations can be found here. Your observations help improve our forecast product. Please take a moment and submit a photo or two and a brief description of snow and avalanche conditions that you see in the field.

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed inside the cabin.

Please Remember:

• Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.
• Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.
• For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or seasonally at the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.