Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Firm snow found in avalanche terrain is unlikely to avalanche today. Watch out for isolated pockets of soft snow and easy boot penetration in wind-protected areas where triggering a small avalanche is still possible. Continue to make slope-specific stability assessments and use thoughtful travel techniques in avalanche terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs found at middle and upper elevations are likely to be stubborn after consistent, extreme northwest winds of 90-100 mph. Snow surfaces in most locations are expected to be firm and supportive, greatly lessening the impact on a buried weak layer of loose, granular faceted crystals near an older ice crust. Triggering an avalanche on that weak layer is unlikely, but not impossible. 

    In lower-angle southeast-facing avalanche terrain and in wind-sheltered areas (under larger cliffs or around trees), softer and more reactive wind slabs may have had the opportunity to form. Look for smooth, pillow-like snow versus the textured, firm snow surface. Travel thoughtfully around these areas and make slope-specific assessments when softer snow is found. This observation shows a recent small natural avalanche in a wind-sheltered area protecting softer wind slabs.

Avalanche Discussion

Over the last few days, extreme winds have beaten down the snowpack and scoured significant amounts of high-elevation terrain. Expect to find firm (pencil +) snow conditions in most alpine terrain and slightly softer wind slabs in isolated areas of wind-sheltered terrain, especially on southeast-facing slopes. In these more sheltered areas, it is not out of the question to find an area of reactive snow - but the terrain should limit this possibility to small pockets. 

Overnight, 1 - 3+ inches of new snow is expected. If we see the higher end of this snow total, expect avalanche hazard to increase as snow accumulates since new wind slabs may have the ability to form on east-facing 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. 

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