Presidential Range

Small pockets of wind deposited snow will be found in isolated areas, but should be easy to identify and manage. Look for smooth white new snow in contrast to grey textured old snow. Warming temperatures today and the chance for rain will create conditions for wet-loose sluff avalanches in the new snow capable of pulling you off your feet. Be mindful of consequences. Avalanche danger is LOW. 

The summer Lionhead Trail is open for travel. Crampons, not microspikes, and an ice axe will be needed for safe travel, especially across the steep and mostly wind scoured snowfield at treeline.

Regulations on Federal public lands supersede state mandates regarding protection from the coronavirus and it’s variants. These regulations require the use of a face mask when social distancing is not possible. Please plan to wear a mask in busy areas like the deck and courtyard at Hermit Lake and the floor of Tuckerman Ravine on a busy day.

Skiing below crossover 5 is likely to be just skiable, with rocks lurking beneath the surface and open areas where snow melted as it hit the warm and muddy ground. Skiing at a ski resort that allows skinning may be a safer option. Please move to the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and walk down when necessary to avoid damaging the ski trail. 

Pick your days in the mountains carefully this week. A winter storm on Wednesday with significant snowfall, colder temperatures and northeast wind is likely to increase avalanche danger from wind drifted snow in eastern ravines. As new snow accumulates, the chance for triggering an avalanche will rise and continue well into Thursday. An avalanche large enough to bury you will be possible, based on the current forecast snow totals of 10 inches or more.  One consideration that drives our avalanche concerns is the potential for new snow to fill in the areas of fetch  above the ravines that melted over the past few weeks. If more snow accumulates and fills in those fetch zones, we may see a return to wind loading patterns typical of winter conditions when a westerly or northwesterly wind builds thick wind slabs in east facing terrain with only a couple of inches of new snow. We’ll continue to issue 5-scale avalanche forecasts throughout the week as we track this storm.

The typical spring hazards emerged in recent weeks and should remain a player in your travel plans. New snow may bridge over some of the hazards which include: 

• Moats and other deep melt holes 
• Waterfall holes 
• Open streams and undermined snow 
• Glide cracks 
• Falling ice and rock

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Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the forecasters at MWAC. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations here. 

The Harvard Cabin is now closed for the season. There is no access to the breezeway at HoJos.

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.