Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Small, human triggered loose wet avalanches could occur on steep slopes as warm temperatures, sunshine, and rain melt surface snow. Large avalanches are unlikely with a generally stable snowpack. Be mindful of dangerous springtime mountain hazards that include deep holes, falling ice, undermined snow, and open water.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Human-triggered wet loose avalanches are possible as warm temperatures continue to melt surface snow. Warming during the day and multiple nights where all elevations have remained well above freezing have created a surface layer of unstructured, wet loose snow. With a saturated snowpack from days of melt, the amount of rain forecast for today is unlikely to add to this avalanche problem.

    This wet loose snow can move underfoot and potentially pull you from your feet in steep terrain.The wet loose sluff should be easy to manage by moving to the side and letting the loose snow pass. The larger concern is that this causes a fall in steep terrain by getting pulled from your feet or tripping in the moving snow. Be careful where falls have consequences and use careful route planning to mitigate your exposure over hazards like open holes, rocks, and trees.

Avalanche Discussion

In the last two days, temperature records were broken for the summit at 53F on 4/14 and 54F on 4/15. Warm temperatures, sun, low winds, and multiple nights with temperatures remaining well above freezing have contributed to significant snowmelt. 

The bottom of the Sherburne Ski Trail has melted out and is now CLOSED below the yellow rope. Please help preserve the ski trail by removing your skis and walking down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail trail at the rope.

Little Headwall in Tuckerman Ravine: The Little Headwall is unpassible due to high water flow and little snow remaining. Hiking down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail from the bowl of Tuckerman Ravine to Hermit Lake is the safest, easiest option.

Springtime Hazards:

Warm temperatures today and lack of freezing at night will continue to melt snow, contributing to springtime hazards. 

The following spring hazards should be on your radar: 

  • Icefall and rockfall: Over the years many people have been severely injured or killed by falling ice in Tuckerman Ravine. The most hazardous locations are in the center and right side of the ravine, including Lunch Rocks, the Sluice, Lip, and Center Bowl. Warm weather and rain increase the potential for icefall to occur. Avoid spending time in high risk areas like Lunch Rocks or on the floor of the ravine in the fall line of ice in the headwall.
  • Glide cracks and waterfall holes: As the snowpack gradually gives way to gravity and creeps downhill, it pulls away from cliffs and leaves gaps. These gaps are the horizontal cracks that develop in steep terrain and are currently visible in the Lip and Sluice. At the moment by the Lip, multiple waterfall holes are visible and open. A fall into any of these gaps can be deep enough to cause fatal injuries, especially around the main waterfall.
  • Undermined snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These will emerge at the tops of gullies (particularly on south-facing slopes) and in areas that have streams running, like the brook feeding the Little Headwall. The sound of running water can sometimes be heard under the snow and is a good indicator of this hazard. 
  • Other people: Sunny, warm spring days draw crowds of skiers to Tuckerman Ravine. Remain mindful of where and what others are doing around you. 

Read more on Springtime Mountain Hazards 

The Lion Head Summer Trail is CLOSED. The Lion Head Winter Route is OPEN and the most direct route to the Mount Washington Summit from Pinkham Notch. 

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