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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Highlights

New snow, wind, and cold temperatures will combine to create dangerous avalanche conditions. Natural avalanches will become possible later today, overnight, and especially tomorrow. Blowing snow will make visibility and route finding difficult.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    As snowfall intensity increases in the afternoon and wind shifts to the north, expect drifting snow to build slabs on southeast though southwest aspects. These new wind slabs will be 1 to 2 feet thick, and may avalanche naturally if the bed surface has an existing  snowpack. Also keep in mind that drifted snow from wind loading over the last several days may be sensitive in wind sheltered locations, primarily on easterly aspects.

Avalanche Discussion

We are starting the day with a Moderate hazard rating, a continuation of the small wind slabs (D1-D1.5 potential) formed this week. As the new snow piles up today, and wind speeds increase, the hazard rating will rise to Considerable, although this may not occur until the late afternoon.  

Variability in the snowpack with increasing avalanche hazard will require careful route finding, which will be challenging due to the potential for blowing snow and limited visibility. Today’s hazard rating comes with some uncertainty due to the limited number of developed avalanche paths facing southeast, south and southwest. There is a potential for a significant amount of low density snow to create new wind slabs in locations that previously had no avalanche problem. 

Heightened avalanche danger will continue into tomorrow, with wind shifting back to the northwest drifting snow into east-facing ravines. 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is now closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

Please help us and your fellow skiers, riders, and climbers by submitting  observations to our website. 

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