Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Avalanche conditions are dangerous. New snow combined with winds that are shifting and increasing will build large wind drifts on many aspects of the compass today and tonight. Avalanches could be triggered by the weight of a person or may occur spontaneously. Watch for blowing snow and deep snow accumulations as signs of increasing avalanche danger.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Increasing wind speeds with shifting direction will build wind slabs on the southwestern half of the compass rose today at all elevations. High rates of snowfall and rapid increases in wind speeds during the afternoon hours may allow wind slabs to build fast and thick, increasing the potential for natural avalanches. Watch for increasing wind speeds that create blowing snow and poor visibility. This is a red flag that means wind loading and slab development is occurring.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1

    Lighter wind speeds in the morning combined with heavy snowfall will increase the possibility of triggering a soft, storm slab avalanche at all aspects this morning. Watch for snow that is accumulating over 12 inches deep and resting on a slick, firm snow surface. Assessing this problem will be easy by measuring the amount of new snow and digging down to the old snow interface to investigate bonding. This problem will likely be limited when wind speeds increase in the afternoon and wind slabs become the primary and only avalanche problem.

Avalanche Discussion

There is some uncertainty in the avalanche conditions for today and into tonight. A combination of factors including shifting wind direction, increasing wind speeds, heavy bands of snowfall, and various new snow densities will all contribute to dangerous avalanche conditions with a trend of increasing hazard through the day and into tonight. 

Traveling in avalanche terrain today will take careful, critical planning as well as a keen sense of observation to notice changes in the snowpack and weather. These changes will likely be happening all day and avalanche conditions can quickly become dangerous with a change in just one of the variables listed above. 

 

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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