Generally safe avalanche conditions, large avalanches are unlikely. The greatest chance for triggering an avalanche will be found in small pockets of wet soft snow from last Friday’s storm, and small wet-loose sluff avalanches in steep terrain where the surface snow becomes... wet and loose. At upper elevations, snow showers may produce enough snow to form small drifts in wind protected areas. Avalanche danger is LOW.
Skiing on the Sherburne below crossover 5 is poor due to lack of snow, mud and rocks. Cross to the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and walk down to avoid damaging the ski trail. For safety reasons, please do not ski on the Tuckerman Ravine hiking trail.
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.
Surface snow will warm today. As surface snow melts, it will create a layer of wet, slushy snow which will move underfoot and possibly carry you in steep terrain. Be careful where falls have consequences.
Isolated small pockets of recent drifted snow have become well settled due to several days of warm weather. You are unlikely to trigger one of these pockets as a propagating, cohesive, dry-snow wind slab, but are worth keeping on your radar where they are found in steep terrain. In some locations, these slabs are 8 to 10 inches thick and may act unpredictably, failing as a wet slab or thick wet-loose avalanche. Either way, be mindful that 8 inches of wet snow will behave differently than 2 inches of surface corn snow.
Snow totals from tomorrow’s storm are dependent on how far north a warm front tracks into New England. Subtle changes in the track of the low pressure system and associated warm front can raise or lower the freeze line for snow or rain. As of this morning, a significant amount of rain is probable for the middle of the day, followed by a return to snow as cold air moves in behind the low. We’ll see how this plays out, but as far as avalanche hazards are concerned, snow tomorrow night and Thursday combined with strong northwest wind and winter cold temperatures will have the greatest impact on increasing avalanche hazard. By Thursday morning, east facing ravines may hold new sizable wind slabs.
The typical spring hazards emerged in recent weeks and should remain a player in your travel plans.
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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:
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.
