Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

As rain and warmth sustain, expect saturated slopes to be unconsolidated and easily sluffed-off to firm layers below. Steer clear of previously wind transported snow as these slabs loose cohesion and their ability to stick to slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Warm air and rain is keeping the snow saturated. Temperatures overnight have increased to 46F degrees and continuous rains to the highest mountain elevations were observed. Without sufficient refreezing of the snowpack, expect loose wet snow with the potential to cause small avalanches in steep terrain. As our snowpack adjusts to spring isothermal conditions expect surface loose wet snow to be unconsolidated and easy to move underfoot. Avalanches of this nature are usually small but can harm you by knocking you off your feet and changing your intended safe trajectory. Rapid warming from sun exposure will exacerbate this dilemma.

Avalanche Discussion

Overnight temperatures continued to climb, and as of this morning the Auto Road Profile reads 52F degrees at 4000 feet and 46.5F degrees near ridgelines. Rain yesterday and last night are helping saturate the snowpack with ¼ inch measured in the last 24 hours. Today we can anticipate more rain in the same amount with warmer daytime temperatures. Oddly enough the snowpack still has definitive layers, with changes in hardness and grain types as you dig in different locations. 

Yesterday's conditions were cloudier and colder in the ravine which helped the consistency of the snow remain firm. No new avalanches were observed and audible sounds of skiing down ice were echoed throughout the uppermost elevations. Crampons were required to enter steep terrain as slick bed-surfaces were still in contrast to the wind-blown pockets. Avoid these isolated slabs of wind blown snow as they are mostly unreactive, but still harbor the possibility of a wet slab avalanche under the right conditions.

The snowpack is depleting and caution is advised for anyone entering avalanche terrain or skiing the Sherburne Trail. Obstacles of all varieties are exposing themselves to complacent snow-sliders with injuries imminent. Control your speed and make good decisions as you adventure into places that are inherently dangerous. 

Remember that significant melting has occurred over the last few days, bringing springtime objective hazards to the forefront. If you are in the mountains today be watching for: 

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.

  • The John Sherburne Ski Trail is closed at the third cut-over 3/4 down from the top.  Please cross over to the Tuckerman Ravine trail at the yellow rope and walk down the hiking trail.
  • The Harvard Cabin is closed for the season.
  • The Lion Head Summer Trail remains closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

Regions covered