Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
4 · High
Treeline
4 · High
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist today on east-facing and south-facing slopes. Areas of thick wind-drifted snow have the ability to create large avalanches that happen naturally or by the weight of a person. Avoid being caught in an avalanche by not traveling on or underneath steep, snow-covered slopes.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    Thick wind slabs sensitive to human and natural triggers will continue to form throughout today and tonight at middle and upper elevations on east-facing and south-facing slopes. As wind speeds and size of slabs continue to increase, natural and human-triggered avalanches will be likely. 

    Travel in avalanche terrain today where new wind slabs exist is not recommended. This problem can be identified by observing red flags including wind-transported snow at the ridgelines, recent avalanche activity, and long, shooting cracks underfoot.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Snow totals between 20 and 30 inches have blanketed steep terrain in the trees. It is possible to trigger a storm slab avalanche today by traveling on steep slopes, especially where there is old snow near the ground. Look out for shooting cracks in the snow and signs of recent avalanches when traveling on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Avalanche Discussion

The significant snow storm over the weekend brought big snow totals of up to 30” across the Presidential Range forecast area. Slower-than-average wind speeds allowed this snow to fall without a significant wind loading or compacting effect and resulted in a thick storm slab of light-density, unconsolidated snow on all aspects and elevations. 

Moving into Sunday and Monday, winds are forecast to slowly and steadily increase in speed from the northwest. Wind speeds last night and throughout the day today have been and will be efficient at moving snow to lee aspects and forming thick wind slabs, pulling from the abundance of snow ready to be transported from fetch areas. 

Expect avalanche hazard to increase throughout the day as slabs have the opportunity to build thicker, become more sensitive, and become more connected across larger and larger slopes. Wind-transported snow and significant new snowfall are two red flags that exist today that do not require entering avalanche terrain to find.  

With an early season snowpack, the consequences of being caught in even a small avalanche today are severe. Exposed rock, water ice, and vegetation exist in almost every avalanche runout zone and greatly increase the risk of traveling in avalanche terrain today.

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to submit observations of snow and avalanche conditions, both inside and outside our avalanche forecast area. Please keep them coming.

The Lion Head Summer Trail is now closed for the season due to avalanche risk. The Lion Head Winter Route is open.

Regions covered