Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

In areas of softer snow in wind-protected areas, triggering a small avalanche is unlikely but not impossible. Continue to make slope-specific stability assessments and use thoughtful travel techniques in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs found at middle and upper elevations are generally unreactive after consistent, extreme northwest winds of 90-100 mph. Snow surfaces in most locations are firm and supportive.

    In lower-angle southeast-facing avalanche terrain and in wind-sheltered areas (under larger cliffs or around trees), slightly softer wind slabs and thin wind slabs from 1 inch of new snow overnight may have had the opportunity to form. Look for smooth, pillow-like snow versus the textured, firm snow surface. Travel thoughtfully around these areas and re-assess stability when softer snow is found. 

    This observation shows a recent small natural avalanche in a wind-sheltered area protecting softer wind slabs.

Avalanche Discussion

Over the last few days, extreme winds have beaten down the snowpack and scoured significant amounts of high-elevation terrain. Expect to find firm (pencil +) snow conditions in most alpine terrain and slightly softer (1 finger) wind slabs in isolated areas of wind-sheltered terrain, especially on southeast-facing slopes. In these more sheltered areas, it is not out of the question to find an area of reactive snow - but the terrain should limit this possibility to small pockets. 

Instability tests in areas of softer slabs from yesterday showed some evidence of layer failures on multiple density change interfaces in the top 2 feet of the snowpack. These shallow layers and the deeply buried old crust layers from mid-January showed no signs of propagation potential. We expect these layers to continue to form stronger bonds with sustained mild temperatures at middle and upper elevations. 

 

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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