Presidential Range

Icy refrozen snow conditions makes triggering an avalanche unlikely today. After periods of prolonged melting over the past week cold temperatures have resumed, locking up the snowpack and adding stability in regards to avalanches. Injury due to an uncontrolled fall is very likely given the current circumstances.  

Temperatures continued to climb throughout the day yesterday finally reaching a peak of 38F degrees around 8pm. A light drizzle and unseasonably warm temperatures helped melting persist, relieving the mountains of some of its snowpack. Wet and unfrozen surface snow conditions were visible up to the highest parts of skiable terrain. Boot penetration was ample, while moist snow grains comprised most of the snowpack to the ground. Hermit Lakes snow plot measures 22cm of seasonal snow depth.

Today colder air has moved into the Presidential Range and with it a refrozen landscape. Freezing rain and fog mixed with snow throughout today will create slick conditions on any angled slope. Traction devices will be necessary anywhere you decide to go traveling today, preferably crampons in steep and alpine areas. Lingering snow showers will add up to ½ inch of new snow to the slopes today.

Long Sliding Falls: Traveling in steep avalanche terrain today will require full mountaineering equipment including stiff boots, crampons, and an ice ax. Long sliding falls are dangerous, injuring or killing more people than avalanches in our forecast area.

New! December Weather History Chart. MWAC has published a monthly view of our weather and snowpack tracker. Forecasters use this to help visualize the running history of weather events, corresponding avalanche hazard ratings and avalanche cycles. We hope you find this helpful to keep your mental model of the snowpack accurate. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is now closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.