Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Pockets of wind-drifted snow can be found on south and east-facing slopes at middle elevations, which may pose a risk for human-triggered avalanches. Otherwise, generally safe snow conditions exist in the upper and lower elevation zones. Staying on firm and supportable snow surfaces will decrease the risk of being caught in an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–2

    Continued north wind has moved snow to leeward aspects on the south and east portion of the compass. Isolated pockets of wind drifted snow could be sensitive to a human-triggered avalanche in steep terrain. Across the slopes, wind-board or hard supportable snow is prevalent on most aspects in the upper and middle elevations, with confining terrain features on south and east facing slopes harboring today's avalanche problem. Concavities and convexities in steeper terrain should also be investigated before committing to, as they may react unstable to the weight of a human.

    Strong north winds with small amounts of blowing snow were observed yesterday in Tuckerman Ravine. Pencil hard snow surfaces with wind sculpted texture was the overriding scene. Isolated pockets of 1Finger snow was found on southern aspects which were stubborn to fail. Small cracking was seen in shallow surface slabs up to 4 inches deep when stepped upon. No new avalanches were observed.

Avalanche Discussion

Wind driven or drifted snow in the Presidential Range is our most common avalanche problem. Sometimes the wind blows all or most of the snow from the alpine fetch, which is the flat or gently sloping snowfields in the upper elevation zone. This area is mostly unprotected from the extreme winds we experience on Mount Washington, and can act like a snow reservoir. Sometimes with lighter or directional shifts in the wind, the snow can stack up here only to be redistributed later. When this reservoir dries up there is less snow available for transport and can correlate to decrease sensitivity and distribution of our Wind Slab avalanche problem. This scenario is what we are currently experiencing.

Yesterday the dry slabs of wind blown snow were becoming firm and supportable in most locations. Areas with surface 1Finger snow hardness or less, were stabilizing with sun and continued wind. The lack of snow moving around the terrain is a good sign with regards to stability, but it also means our soft snow for enjoyable skiing is diminished. In a spot between Right Gully and Sluice, the old ice surface from rain events of the past has resurfaced, with gray contrast.  

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