Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Human triggered avalanches are possible in steep, east-facing, terrain where drifted snow has collected. Rising temperatures and mixed precipitation may cause instabilities in the new or recently drifted snow this afternoon. Increase your safety margin by avoiding wet snow and pockets of wind drifted snow that has collected in consequential terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Blowing snow has collected into drifts up to 2 feet in thickness on east facing slopes of the middle and upper elevations. Observations yesterday reported cracking and human created instabilities in the newly formed slabs. With low visibility from overcast skies, it was not possible to see if significant wind loading or new avalanches had occurred or were left lingering in the steeper terrain, creating some uncertainty. 

    With just over 2 inches of snow accumulated in the past 36 hours, and winds gusting to 81 mph, expect to find stubborn to reactive slabs of drifted snow on leeward slopes. In contrast there has been significant scouring of the loose dry snow revealing older crusts. The more recent crust may still be unsupportive and surrounded by facets, while the old icy bed surface crust is firm and can hold the weight of many. Slick icy surfaces and weak layers within the snowpack are places where slabs can fail from the weight of a human. 

Avalanche Discussion

Over the next 2 days we will have unseasonably warm temperatures while a pair of weak low pressure systems pass over the Presidential Range bringing mixed precipitation. Today’s chances for precipitation remain relatively low with a little more emphasis on tomorrow being a wet afternoon. Ravine temperatures are forecasted to reach 40F degrees in the afternoon today with rain below 4000 feet. Expect the recently formed slabs that reside on east facing terrain to warm and absorb this moisture, helping to make them unstable.

If you are traveling in the middle and upper elevations today look for warming of the surface snow and clumping under your skis. Try and avoid fresh slabs of wind drifted snow in steep and confining terrain. Look for slabs to crack underfoot and listen for the ominous whumphing sound as you put your entire weight on them. There could potentially be a risk for long sliding falls in scoured locations, due to slick and icy crusts that may have reemerged from violent winds eroding snow.

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. 

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