Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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

Avalanche conditions are dangerous. Sensitive new wind drifts are likely to avalanche from the weight of a person and may avalanche spontaneously. Today’s avalanches could be large enough to bury one or multiple people. Make conservative decisions around avalanche terrain today, especially if visibility makes it difficult or impossible to safely assess the snowpack.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Wind slabs 1 - 3 feet in depth can be found on many aspects of the compass and could avalanche from the weight of a single person. Large naturally-occuring avalanches are also possible today, especially on northeast, east, and southeast-facing slopes. These aspects are also where wind slabs will become the thickest and most unstable. Expect the possibility for a natural avalanche to increase as the day goes on due to increasing wind and blowing snow.  

    Blowing snow and poor visibility may make it difficult to safely identify new slab locations or assess the snowpack. Watch out for blowing and drifting snow, deep and dense snow drifts, and shooting cracks in the snow. These are all warning signs of a dangerous wind slab avalanche.

Avalanche Discussion

As of 7am, 3.8 inches of snow of varying densities has accumulated at Hermit Lake, with similar totals accumulating also at the Mount Washington Summit. Throughout the day, shifting winds, increasing winds, and continued snow accumulation will increase the danger of encountering large wind slab avalanches. There is uncertainty around the sensitivity of new wind slabs given the various precipitation types and densities overnight, however, expect to find multiple mid-slab weaknesses and a generally poor snowpack structure as wind loading continues. 

Even with less-than-impressive snow totals, the potential for Presidential Range avalanche paths to produce large avalanches today should not be underestimated. Well-developed start zones, long run outs, and large fetch areas combined with new snow and wind will contribute to the avalanche recipe today. 

 

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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