Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Triggering an avalanche in new, wind-drifted snow is possible at middle and upper elevations. Watch out for wind-drifted snow that struggles to stick to a hard, slick snow surface. Traveling on the hard, textured old snow surface can help you avoid this avalanche problem.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    New wind slabs have started to form at middle and upper elevations on northeast through south aspects and in wind-protected terrain features. In many places, these slabs are likely to be thin (less than 12 inches in depth), but may avalanche from the weight of a single person. A hard, slick old snow surface may make it difficult for new snow to effectively bond which increases the likelihood of starting one of these avalanches. 

    Blowing snow may obscure visibility making it difficult to assess this problem from a distance. Watch for boot penetration in new snow that goes past your ankles. This is a sign you may have found a sensitive new wind slab. Traveling on hard, textured old snow surfaces is one way to navigate around this avalanche problem.

Avalanche Discussion

Mild temperatures and solar gain yesterday contributed to snowpack stabilization from the most recent storm cycle on March 14th. In some areas, poor snowpack structure still exists, however the hardness and lack of propagation propensity of the upper snowpack make avalanche issues deeper in the snowpack very unlikely. After about 4 inches of new light-density snow recorded at Hermit Lake last night, and an additional 1 - 3 inches forecast to accumulate during the day today, new wind slabs resting on a slick old snow surface have become the primary stability concern. 

Traveling on the old snow surface to avoid the avalanche problem carries a separate risk of sliding falls where it may be impossible to self-arrest. Careful route planning that considers both of these hazards is important today but may be difficult due to poor visibility. 

 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is CLOSED due to increased avalanche hazard. The Lion Head Winter Route is OPEN and the most direct route to the Mount Washington Summit from Pinkham Notch. 

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.

Regions covered