Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Highlights

Small, human triggered wet snow avalanches are possible as continued warm temperatures melt surface snow. Large avalanches are unlikely. Watch out for dangerous springtime mountain hazards which include falling ice, deep holes in the snowpack, undermined snow, and open water.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Human-triggered wet loose avalanches are possible for the next few days as very warm temperatures continue to melt surface snow during the day and at night. The summit of Mt Washington reached a high of 51F yesterday, 61F at Hermit Lake and all elevations remained above freezing overnight. 

    Warming has created a surface layer of unstructured, wet loose snow which can move underfoot and possibly pull you from your feet in steep terrain. 

    The small wet loose sluffs should be easy to manage. You can manage this by moving to the side to let the loose snow pass.The greater issue is a fall in steep terrain from tripping or getting pulled off your feet from the moving snow. Be careful where falls have consequences.

Avalanche Discussion

Little Headwall in Tuckerman Ravine: The Little Headwall is unpassible due to high water flow and little snow remaining. Hiking down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the bowl of Tuckerman Ravine to Hermit Lake is the safest, easiest option.

 

Springtime Hazards:

Very warm temperatures today will increase the rate of melting snow, contributing to springtime hazards. 

The following spring hazards should be on your radar: 

  • Icefall and rockfall: Over the years many people have been severely injured or killed by falling ice in Tuckerman Ravine. The most hazardous locations are in the center and right side of the ravine, including Lunch Rocks, the Sluice, Lip, and Center Bowl. Warm weather and rain increase the potential for icefall to occur. Avoid spending time in high risk areas like Lunch Rocks or on the floor of the ravine in the fall line of ice in the headwall.
  • Glide cracks and waterfall holes: As the snowpack gradually gives way to gravity and creeps downhill, it pulls away from cliffs and leaves gaps. These gaps are the horizontal cracks that will soon appear in the steep terrain, most noticeably in the Lip and Sluice. These gaps can be deep enough to cause fatal injuries, especially around the main waterfall. 
  • Undermined snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These will emerge at the tops of gullies (particularly on south-facing slopes) and in areas that have streams running, like the brook feeding the Little Headwall. The sound of running water can sometimes be heard under the snow and is a good indicator of this hazard. 
  • Other people: Sunny, warm spring days draw crowds of skiers to Tuckerman Ravine. Remain mindful of where and what others are doing around you. 

Read more on Springtime Mountain Hazards 

 

Spring Snowpack:

4/10 Oaks Gulf Observation, 4/11 Huntington Ravine Observation 4/12 GOS Observation

A uniform temperature gradient (isothermal snowpack) is now likely at all middle (ravine) elevations, effectively preventing the development of weak-snow layers and reducing concerns for instabilities within the snowpack. Moving forward, avalanche concerns are now limited to wet avalanches due to loss of strength from melting or new surface snow from spring storms.

Due to lack of snow and significant melting in the forecast, we have stopped forecasting for the low elevation band (below 3000 feet in elevation). Continue to use general caution in these areas and make slope-specific assessments of mountain hazards. 

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. 

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