Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Rain-soaked snow may avalanche without warning today. Wet snow avalanches are powerfully destructive and unpredictable. Limit your time on or beneath large avalanche paths until the snowpack refreezes tomorrow. 

Avalanche problems

  • Wet Slabs

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

    Wind slabs 1-2 feet thick from recent snow will become saturated from today’s rain. As the rain adds weight, and degrades weak layers within the snowpack, stability will decrease as the day progresses. Observations yesterday show the new slabs have become stubborn, with a distinct weak layer at the new/old snow interface. Slabs failing on this weak layer will be 1-2 feet thick, destructive, and also unpredictable. Due to the unpredictable nature of wet slabs during rain-on-snow events, avoidance is the only sure way to avoid this avalanche problem. 

    East and south facing slopes in eastern ravines are areas of the greatest concern today, but steep snow on any aspect is suspect. 

    Rain falling on the snow is an obvious red flag that means wet slab avalanches are a possibility. 

    NWS April 1 ,2023 weather forecast for Mt Washington. 

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Snow at lower elevations will become saturated today. Watch out for wet snow more than several inches deep becoming less consolidated. Wet sluffs of slushy snow will begin at a point under your feet and spread out below you. On steep terrain with softer snow, Loose Wet avalanches may occur naturally.

Avalanche Discussion

Rain on snow is a challenge for avalanche forecasters, mostly since the results are unpredictable. When our snowpack lacks significant weak layers, forecasters generally have more confidence for these rain events, but even then we have been surprised with a wet snow release. Today, the forecasting team expressed concern mostly about a weak layer found at the new/old snow interface just above the knife hard bed surface. With some aspects holding recent slabs 1-2 feet thick, the chance for a natural, large destructive avalanche can’t be ruled out until the rain ends and temperatures drop tomorrow.

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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