Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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Highlights

Small wet snow avalanches and wind-drifted snow avalanches are possible on north, east and south aspects today with an increasing avalanche hazard later in the day.  If snow is falling in the ravines during the day rather than rain, the avalanche hazard is increasing.  This wind drifted snow could avalanche big enough to injure or bury a person.  Continue to monitor snow accumulation as you travel in the terrain especially in the afternoon and evaluate areas where deeper drifts of snow have collected.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slab avalanches may develop at middle and upper elevations on northeast, east and south aspects throughout the day.  Likelihood will increase based on precipitation type and rate and slabs will present the biggest concern moving into the evening. If temperatures in Tuckerman Ravine are colder than forecasted and snow falls instead of rain during the day, these wind slabs could build earlier, be to 1-1.5 feet thick and large enough to injure or bury a person.  Be monitoring the temperature and snowfall rate as you travel in the terrain.  Avoid areas of deeper wind-drifted snow which could be reactive to a human trigger.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1

    Wet loose avalanches on north, east and south aspects are unlikely today.  These sluffs will be small in size but could initiate a long sliding fall into hazards below.  Watch for wet snow piling up in front or your skis or board to identify this hazard and move intentionally while skiing in steep terrain.

Avalanche Discussion

On Thursday over 0.5 inches of rain fell on the summit which promoted settling of the snowpack and some wet loose avalanches to release.  Summit temperatures went below freezing Thursday night, which continued to consolidate the snowpack, and on Friday, the snow conditions were stable with spring skiing enjoyed by many.

Today the summit will receive up to 4 inches of snow on northwest winds which may create wind-slabs at upper elevations (>5000ft).  Temperatures at middle elevations (3000-5000ft) will be above freezing and rain is forecasted to be the predominant precipitation type.  However, if temperatures are colder and snow falls, there is a possibility for wind slabs to develop.  There is uncertainty to the size of these slabs because of the wide temperature margin between the summit and floor of the ravines.  If the ravines see snow rather than rain, the wind slabs have the potential to be 1-1.5 feet thick by this evening.  These slabs will generally be right side up as snow rates increase and wind speeds decrease, but they could be reactive to human triggers.  Continued assessment and monitoring of the temperature and precipitation is important throughout the day to avoid the avalanche hazard.

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 ½ way down from the top at the fifth cut-over.  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.

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