Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago.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

Highlights

Watch out for thin snow drifts at middle elevations that may slide under your feet on a strong ice crust. Triggering a small avalanche is more likely in wind protected areas where new snow has collected. Travel on hard snow surfaces to avoid triggering an avalanche. Use extra caution in steep terrain, where falls are dangerous on a refrozen snowpack with exposed rocks, ice, and trees below.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Around 1.5 to 2 inches of snow overnight has been blown into east facing ravines creating isolated, thin wind slabs in wind-sheltered locations. These slabs are likely less than a foot deep in steep terrain. Strong overnight wind speeds suggest these new slabs will be stubborn, though they may be poorly bonded to an icy bed surface. 

    Look for areas with smooth, white soft snow under ridges and steep terrain features to identify these new wind slabs. Frequent hand-shear tests will be useful to assess stability and slab thickness when traveling around the new snow

    Avoid the avalanche problem by traveling on an icy melt freeze crust.  

     

Avalanche Discussion

Observers yesterday found the snowpack to be wet and re-freezing as temperatures dropped throughout the day. Cold temperatures overnight further worked to stabilize the existing snowpack, greatly reducing the chances of finding a remaining instability below the surface melt freeze crust.  Today’s avalanche problem is based on the 1.5 - 2 inches of snow falling overnight and this morning. New wind slabs today won’t be capable of producing a large avalanche, but they may slide easily on the frozen crust found yesterday. 

Long sliding falls are a real concern today. Preventing a dangerous long sliding fall on a steep frozen surface will require crampons, ice axes, and the skills to use them. Move with deliberate caution on steep icy terrain. 

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.

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