Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Avalanches are possible on steep slopes in drifts of deeper new snow, especially on east-facing aspects. Even a small avalanche can have deadly consequences if it causes a fall in steep terrain. Avoiding drifts of new snow that are greater than 3 inches can help you avoid the avalanche hazard today.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Overnight, 2.3 inches of new snow fell on west winds, creating thin new wind slabs on east-facing slopes and in wind-protected terrain features. These slabs have formed on top of a slick, hard snow surface which may prevent a good bond from forming, increasing the sensitivity of triggering a wind slab today. 

    Dig down to the hard, old snow surface to assess new slab depth and sensitivity. If the snow becomes deeper and stiffer, your likelihood of triggering a wind slab avalanche is increasing. Slabs are likely to be small in size, but even a small avalanche can have severe consequences in steep, ski mountaineering terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

Even with low snow accumulation totals, effective wind loading speeds have increased the possibility of encountering a sensitive wind slab today. In many areas, you may encounter the hard, textured old snow surface instead of a new wind slab. There is still uncertainty about the size and distribution of new wind slabs. Because of this, continue to make slope-specific decisions based on your own assessments of wind slab presence. 

As temperatures warm, there is a chance for last night’s new snow to begin “shedding” off the mountain. This could mean roller balls coming off of rocky areas and small, loose wet avalanches later in the afternoon. This is not expected to be a significant hazard today, but is worth looking out for. 

 

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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