Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Challenging travel on firm and icy surfaces may be a greater hazard than avalanches. It may be possible to trigger a small pocket of wind drifted snow at middle and upper elevations. Use caution in steep terrain, where falls are dangerous on a refrozen snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    In isolated, wind-sheltered areas, it may be possible to find thin wind slabs formed from wind-transported snow after the storm on 12/23 and from new snow falling during the day today. The chance of encountering these wind slabs exists primarily on east and north aspects at middle and upper elevations underneath large cliffs, rock features, and in snow gullies. When looking for this problem, watch out for new, softer snow cracking or sliding easily on top of an old, icy snow surface

Avalanche Discussion

Fortunately, large amounts of rain during Friday’s storm did not significantly melt the existing snowpack at middle and upper elevations. 

As cold temperatures persist into the beginning of this week, there may be favorable conditions for the development of near-surface facets, especially with the amount of moisture that entered the snowpack on Friday in combination with a drastic temperature change and snow falling at the tail end of the storm. Look for signs of weak, sugary snow on the surface, which could act as a weak layer for the next storm.  Any observations of this phenomenon would be incredibly helpful to our team!

Long Sliding Falls: Traveling in steep avalanche terrain today will require full mountaineering equipment including stiff boots, crampons, and an ice ax. Long sliding falls are dangerous, injuring or killing more people than avalanches in our forecast area.

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. 

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

Regions covered