Presidential Range

A firm and refrozen snowpack creates hazardous slide-for-life conditions today on all steep snow-covered surfaces. Bring mountaineering tools like crampons, an ice axe, and a helmet, as well as the skills to use them. Sure footwork will be your best defense to prevent a fall, as self-arrest may be difficult on firm, steep surfaces.

Yesterday’s rapidly dropping temperatures refroze surfaces at all elevations, creating the potential for slide for life conditions on any steep snow-covered slope. Today, temperatures remain well below freezing at all elevations. Continue to bring a mountaineering mindset along with mountaineering tools to increase your security while you travel on steep, snow and ice-covered slopes. 

Clearing skies today may raise hopes for the sun to soften solar surfaces. While decreasing winds could help, the combination of cold temperatures and a very firm surface will likely prevent meaningful softening. Temperatures in ravines are forecast to reach a high of 18 F, which will not contribute to warming.

Yesterday, 0.3 inches of snow was recorded at the summit. This small amount of snow, combined with extreme west winds has not likely been productive in forming wind slabs. However, identifying any new snow will be easy, as it will be bright white, which will be in contrast to the gray textured old snow surface in eastern terrain. If you encounter new snow, be aware that it may not be well bonded and it could increase the chance of a fall in steep terrain.

The rain, warm temperatures, and fog have continued to drive the development of various mountain hazards that should be factored into your decision-making and route planning. Large, deep, and open holes exist in many places. One of the most consequential open holes is near The Lip in Tuckerman Ravine. Learn more about springtime mountain hazards and how you could manage them. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation on our website or in the new Avy phone app of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts.