Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Watch for steep east-facing slopes that have collected softer new snow on top of a hard, icy, old snow surface. These areas of softer wind-drifted snow have an increased chance of creating a small avalanche from the weight of a person. Even a small avalanche can have severe consequences if it causes a fall in steep terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    1.5 inches of new snow yesterday with strong westerly winds has created thin wind slabs in wind-sheltered “pockets” across east-facing ravines. These areas have increased potential for small, human triggered avalanches. It should be easy to identify new wind slabs as having smooth, pillow-like, or rounded characteristics in contrast to the old, icy snow surface, which will appear gray, textured, and shiny. 

    Keep in mind that the old snow surface may act as an effective bed surface for an avalanche since new snow may take longer to bond to this hard, slick surface. Additionally, even a small avalanche on this surface could create a fall that is hard or impossible to stop. 

    Tonight, 1 - 3 inches of additional snow and wind has the opportunity to add to this avalanche problem. Higher snow totals will increase the depth, distribution, and sensitivity of this avalanche problem, which could increase the overall avalanche hazard tonight and tomorrow.

Avalanche Discussion

Expect to find a mosaic of hard and soft snow surfaces in the Presidential Range today. Even with less-than-forecast snow totals, thin wind slabs still had the opportunity to form in isolated, wind-sheltered areas, mostly in the Eastern Ravines. With good visibility, it should be easy to identify areas of new wind slab and plan routes accordingly. 

Traveling on the old snow surface will be stable and allow you to avoid thin wind slabs. Traveling on new, wind-drifted snow may offer easier walking or skiing, but comes with the risk of triggering a small pocket of unstable snow. Finding and triggering an avalanche that is deep enough to bury you is unlikely, but finding and triggering a thin wind slab that has the potential to cause a fall in steep terrain on a slick snow surface is a possibility today.

If out overnight, watch for accumulating new snow in combination of westerly winds which could add depth, wider distribution, and sensitivity to the wind slab avalanche problem and increase the hazard of traveling on steep, easterly slopes. 

 

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. 

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