Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
No rating
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Highlights

Slabs of unstable wind-drifted snow can be found on eastern slopes of the middle elevations. Prolonged northwest winds, gusting over 100mph, have displaced snow and helped create several thick pockets of potentially reactive snow lower on ravine slopes. Evaluate freshly sculpted snow slabs especially during the warm afternoon hours as snow surfaces become moist.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Snow from Friday’s storm has been wind-transported to eastern aspects in the middle elevations. Stiff slabs of drifted snow can be found in sheltered locations on the lower half of many slopes in Tuckerman Ravine. These surface layers are variable in depth and distribution and are stubborn in their sensitivity to human triggering. Extreme and sustained northwest winds have loaded snow in places like Sluice and The Lip. 

    As east and south aspects gain uninhibited solar radiation this morning, expect the new slabs to become moist and less stable. Afternoon cloud cover may suppress the rapid melting, but be aware that lower ravine temperatures could reach near 40F degrees throughout the day.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    As increasing temperatures and sunny clear skies warm the surface of the snowpack expect loose wet snow to be widespread in the middle elevations. Moist and unconsolidated snow can be excellent for spring skiing, but too much warmth too quickly can cause steep slopes to pour small loose wet avalanches. Freshly deposited snow is the first to warm up and become unstable, while older snow surfaces may take longer to destabilize. In the afternoon hours, just before increased cloud cover, this avalanche problem will be at its peak. 

Avalanche Discussion

Today’s hazard rating is on the lower spectrum of Moderate in the middle elevations. Winds out of the northwest, with several extreme gusts over 100mph, have pushed the recent 2.7 inches of snow into slabs facing east and south. Such prolonged high winds usually obliterate the formation of wind-drifted slabs from most of the upper elevations and redeposit it onto the lower ravine slopes.

Surprisingly thick slabs, in the lower run-outs of many steep slopes in the ravine, have our concerns elevated. Even though these slabs may be stubborn to human triggering, their depths and the amount of people congregating near them makes this an unlikely but yet potentially worrisome avalanche problem. Warming of the surface snow this afternoon could tip-the-scales towards being unstable resulting in an avalanche that could bury someone.

There are unwritten rules in the backcountry, and one of them states that you ski a steep and consequential slope one at a time. This includes people inside or outside of your group and especially includes not skiing above climbers that are below. People actively ascending a bootpack are vulnerable to your actions above, whether it be from a resulting avalanche or falling down upon them. Mistakes made in steep terrain can be unforgiving.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to submit observations of snow and avalanche conditions, both inside and outside our avalanche forecast area. Please keep them coming.

  • The John Sherburne Ski Trail is closed before the last hill due to mud and rocks below. Please cross over to the Tuckerman Ravine trail at the yellow rope and walk down the hiking trail.
  • The Harvard Cabin is closed for the season.
  • The Lion Head Summer Trail is closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

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