Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Wind drifted snow in the middle and upper elevations may be sensitive to human triggering. Dense slabs, up to 2 feet thick on steep eastern aspects, may slide with the added weight of a human. Use careful judgment to avoid being on or below these unsupported snow surfaces that may look smooth and enticing.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind drifted slabs in east facing terrain will be prone to human triggered avalanches in the middle and upper elevations. These slabs may be up to 2 feet thick in some locations with the ability to bury a person who is caught in an avalanche. 

    Yesterday’s extreme winds, gusting to 108 mph on the summit, will have stripped some of the snow from the alpine and upper snowfields. The transported snow collects in the starting zones, tracts, and run-outs of the prime ski terrain on the eastern side of the Presidential Range. Wind drifted slabs tend to appear smooth and wind-sculpted with a hollow sound as you step onto them. With such high winds recorded yesterday it may be difficult to cause failure or trigger a wind drifted slab, until you find a thin or weak point near rocks and vegetation. These slabs are powerful and will likely fracture above a skier and entrain large amounts of dense snow.

Avalanche Discussion

With Monday’s new snow and strong westerly winds we could have large, consolidated slabs lingering in skiable east facing terrain. These slabs may be unsupported by soft unconsolidated snow that lies underneath. This set up and the uncertainty of what has developed in the starting zones keeps us at a Considerable rating today.

An intensifying low pressure system slated for our forecast zone today will keep the avalanche danger elevated for the near future. Weather forecasts are calling for upwards of 13 inches this evening into tomorrow with strong and shifting winds. The National Weather Service is expecting northwest winds to shift south with the storm's arrival, and continue shifting southeast as it passes through. A return to westerly winds tomorrow afternoon and continued snow showers through the weekend are to be expected. 

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. 

Regions covered