Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Winter returned with a vengeance overnight bringing new snow as well as much colder temperatures and strong winds. The new snow that fell overnight is building fresh wind slabs on the icy crust that formed during this week’s warmup. Natural avalanches are possible today with human triggering likely. These wind slabs will be one to two feet thick and could easily bury a person. A long sliding fall hazard exists at lower elevations and wind scoured aspects with less snow sitting on top of this breakable ice crust. CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists in steep, wind loaded terrain. Seek out lower angled, tree covered terrain and avoid overhead hazard.

The Winter Lion Head Route is the most direct route to climb to the summit from Pinkham Notch. The Tuckerman Ravine trail through the Bowl, and the Lion Head Summer Trail are much more exposed sliding fall hazards and pass through avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Four inches of snow fell last night with another inch falling this morning. Wind from the west northwest is ideal for blowing all this snow from icy surfaces into wind sheltered terrain. No, this isn’t April Fool’s Day. Count on these newly formed wind slabs to be sensitive to human triggering or to fail naturally with continued wind loading. These wind slabs will be weakly bonded enough to trigger from below, making it relatively easy to bring the entire slab down on yourself. These wind slabs will need the usual 24 to 48 hours to heal and bond to the icy surface below.

Avalanche Discussion

The NWS forecast called for 3-5” new snow last night. They nailed it. The new snow is the refresh needed for what is a meager snowpack in the alpine but we’ll need to get through a couple more days of unstable snow. The new snow will struggle to settle and bond due to the cold temperatures with an active avalanche cycle likely today before another round of snow tonight. It’s winter again with the full kit of avalanche gear plus ice axe, crampons, balaclava and goggles required. Ski trails may offer reasonable alternatives though the refrozen snow with very limited new snow will be challenging.

 

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 here. 

 

Listen to the weekly MWAC Outreach Podcast provided by Ski The Whites. Discussions include snowpack information, weekend outlook, and general avalanche related info. 

 

Our next free online event is coming up Thursday, March 18 @ 7PM -Women’s Backcountry Talk- A Free Zoom Webinar. Signup is required. 

 

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed inside the cabin. There is no access to the breezeway at HoJos.

Please Remember:

  • Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.
  • Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.

For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or seasonally at the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.

Regions covered