Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
No rating
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wet, sloppy, loose surface snow may slide under your feet today in steep terrain. Watch out for springtime objective hazards as the snowpack melts.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Slushy wet snow blanketing the terrain can slide under your feet on steep slopes. These wet-loose sluffs will be small in size but can pull you off your feet if not managed appropriately.

Avalanche Discussion

Mixed precipitation types and temperatures hovering just above and just below freezing add uncertainty to today’s forecast. 

What we do know: 

  • 2 inches of mixed precipitation accumulated on the summit over the last 24 hours
  • A trace to 2 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain are forecast today. 
  • Temperatures will rise above freezing everywhere except the highest summits. 

The forecasting team this morning concluded that today’s weather would not likely introduce any significant avalanche hazard other than wet sloppy surface snow, which may melt and settle very quickly. In general, warm temperatures will be the limiting factor today. 

It’s worth noting that a swing towards cooler temperatures could result in snow totals exceeding the forecast creating the conditions where small wind slabs could form on easterly aspects, especially later in the day when temperatures drop. 

Also keep in mind that significant melting has occurred over the last few days, bringing springtime objective hazards to the forefront. If you are in the mountains today be watching for:

 

Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the forecasters at MWAC. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations.

  • The John Sherburne Ski Trail is closed at the third cut-over.  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 remains closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

Regions covered