Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
3 · Considerable
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Highlights

Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely on all aspects and elevations. Moving through, under, or adjacent to steep terrain will be dangerous today with avoidance being the best strategy.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–3

    With well over a foot of new snow and extreme winds from multiple different directions, slabs of drifted snow will be thick and well distributed across all aspects and elevations. Expect slabs to grow in depth and become more sensitive to human triggering throughout the day. Drifted snow could be as deep as 3 feet in some locations with some windward areas potentially scoured back to firm icy surfaces. Natural avalanches are possible where wind loaded snow has compromised the strength of the newly formed slabs.

  • Loose Dry

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

    Areas sheltered from the wind will have soft dry snow that could create small avalanches in steep terrain. The new snow rests above a slick and icy surface which formed during clear weather. Anticipate this interface to be poorly bonded to the new snow and capable of sliding out underneath your feet. If you feel the sluff you've created growing larger and more difficult to control, slow down and pull away from the flow of moving snow. 

Avalanche Discussion

Avoid avalanche terrain and slopes over 30 degrees that are connected to larger avalanche starting zones. It is likely that travelers in steep terrain could trigger avalanches capable of destroying homes, trees, or cars; theoretically if they were in the path. Natural avalanches are unpredictable and will bury and potentially kill those caught in their torrent. 

Do not try to outsmart the avalanche problems today. Multiple different aspects have wind loaded or unconsolidated snow that is reactive in sensitivity. Expect continued loading from extreme winds, especially after directional shifting occurs this afternoon. Play it safe on low angle slopes with little or no potential hazard above or below. As the upper snowfields are stripped of the recent snow it will descend into gullies and piling up in an unstable fashion.

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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