Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger a large and destructive avalanche in east-facing terrain above 3000 ft. Warning signs will be limited, though hard slabs may sound hollow and drum-like underfoot. Look for pillowy smooth drifts on steep slopes to identify areas of potentially unstable snow and travel on wind scoured surfaces to limit your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    What and where is it Older Slabs:Three day old wind slabs are becoming increasingly stubborn, but it remains possible to trigger them on steep east-facing terrain above 3,000 ft. Recent observations (OBS1, OBS2, OBS3) show drifts several feet thick with a strong-over-weak structure.New Slabs: Over the last two days, small amounts of new snow and northwest wind have also formed new wind slabs on top of the older slabs on the same aspects. Based on snowfall totals, these new slabs are expected to be thin and generally small, but if lingering snow from the January 26 storm was available for transport, new slabs could be thicker and more consequential.

    How can you recognize it:  Use your eyes. Look for smooth, rounded, pillowy drifts and areas that feel hollow and stiff underfoot. Be extra cautious around convex rollovers and steep, unsupported slopes. Warning signs may be limited, hard slabs can feel solid until they fail. To differentiate old versus new slabs, probe with a hand or ski pole to find hardness changes. If you suspect an older slab, dig deeper to assess structure.How can you manage it: Evaluate wind slabs for both structure and the consequences of a slide before committing. Favor wind-scoured, firm surfaces and avoid steep terrain where thick drifts have formed.

    (1/30/2026)

    Thin natural wind slab avalanche observed in Tuckerman Ravine, likely occurring on January 29 or early on January 30.

Avalanche Discussion

The 18 inches of snow from January 25–26 was heavily reworked by strong northwest winds on the 27th and 28th. Extreme winds and cold that followed left a patchwork of wind scoured firm surfaces in exposed terrain and thick wind slabs in wind protected east and southeast aspects. These thicker slabs are concealing a strong-over-weak structure (OBS1, OBS2), and persistent cold is helping preserve it. Any thick wind slab should be evaluated for both structure and consequence before committing.

The Summer Lion Head Traverse continues to develop into a larger, more continuous snow slope. This terrain collects snow and warrants extra caution today; the terrain trap below makes the consequences of triggering an avalanche potentially severe. The Winter Route remains the recommended ascent to the summit from Pinkham Notch.

Other people may add hazard today. In busy terrain, pay close attention to skiers higher on the slope and limit your time beneath them. The concern is a skier above triggering an avalanche that runs onto people below from a different group. Avoid stacking up in runout zones and choose routes that minimize overhead exposure.

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation on our website or in the new Avy phone app of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. 

Regions covered