Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Warm temperatures and mixed precipitation this afternoon will increase the risk of human triggered avalanches in steep terrain of the middle elevations. Melting snow and isolated pockets of dry wind drifted snow may be unstable in some locations. Staying on firm and supportable snow surfaces is a safer decision on days with changing weather variables. 

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Melting snow from warm air may become loose and unstable on steep slopes. The lowest elevations will start the day with temperatures over 45F degrees in some locations. With a lack of freezing temperatures overnight, surface snow will already be soft and settlement of the snowpack is underway. Loose wet avalanches can occur on all aspects of the middle and lower elevations, especially in steep terrain over 30 degrees in slope. As rain begins to fall this evening expect conditions in the middle and low elevations to worsen, with higher locations covered in ice from freezing rain.  

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind drifted snow slabs can still be found on eastern aspects of the middle elevations. Ample amounts of blowing snow were being cast onto eastern aspects throughout the day yesterday, keeping this avalanche problem alive. Although isolated in distribution, if you find yourself in steep terrain booting through deep pockets of dense dry snow, you may want to retreat to more firm surfaces. It is unlikely that you will trigger a wind slab avalanche, but it cannot be ruled out in certain locations. Look for the smooth and textureless pockets of snow, sheltered from the wind in the steepest locations and terrain features. 

Avalanche Discussion

Warm air lingers over the Presidential Range today bringing above freezing temperatures and mixed precipitation. The summit of Mount Washington may see freezing rain and mixed precipitation around dusk but that will likely change to all rain by Friday morning. Loose wet surface snow conditions are to be expected in the middle and low elevations throughout tomorrow.

If temperatures remain cooler than expected in the middle elevations, look for isolated pockets of wind drifted snow to still pose an avalanche threat. The probability of triggering a wind slab avalanche is unlikely but the problem still lingers in some steep east facing terrain. Overall when you notice deep boot penetration on a steep slope, reassess your situation and remove yourself from the potential hazard.  

While the risk of wind slab avalanches is decreasing the threat of wet slab avalanches increases over the next 36 hours, especially in the middle and lower elevation zones. Today we may not see the rapid warmth and enough rain to lubricate the wind transported slabs, but tomorrow we may.

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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