Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Watch out for pockets of wind drifted snow at ravine elevations. Triggering drifted snow is unlikely, though can’t be ruled out especially as temperatures warm in the afternoon. A greater hazard today may be from long sliding falls on a stout ice crust at the snow surface.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Islands of wind slab will be found in the ravines at mid elevations and are unlikely to slide. As temperatures warm today, these slabs will become less-stubborn, meaning your chances of triggering one are increasing. Watch for signs of wet snow as a red flag. If the surface snow can easily compress into a snowball, the snow is warming and melting. Before stepping out onto a slab today, evaluate or steer around it to avoid this avalanche problem. 

Avalanche Discussion

Recent high winds have shaped the terrain into a mix of wind scoured ice crust and pockets of firm snow tucked behind terrain features. While field observations yesterday were challenged by high winds and low visibility, forecasters found the new snow to be well adhered to the crust and only in the most wind protected locations would the new slabs respond with moderate results in stability tests on a layer of 4F snow within the slab. 

Unfortunately under limited visibility, forecasters were unable to see high in the terrain where larger pockets of snow may be lurking. Pattern recognition tells us that the combination of cold dry snow falling under high wind speeds will generally produce isolated areas of wind slab packed tightly by the wind. 

With rising temperatures, throughout the day, the stability of new wind slabs will decrease. However, with limited distribution and overall small size of the slabs, we don’t expect the hazard rating to rise above Low. Small avalanches in isolated areas are possible today. 

When traveling in the terrain today, assess the snowpack regularly.  Hand shear tests may be helpful in finding weak layers and will allow you to assess the depth of new snow.  Snow that is above your boot top in depth will indicate the avalanche problem in the terrain. 

Springtime hazards are active and ever-changing with the onset of spring. If you are in the mountains today be watching for: 

See more information on springtime objective hazards.

 

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.

  • The John Sherburne Ski Trail is closed ½ way down from the top at the fifth cut-over.  Please cross over to the Tuckerman Ravine trail at the yellow rope and walk down the hiking trail.
  • The Harvard Cabin is closed for the season.
  • The Lion Head Summer Trail remains closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

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