Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Conditions are dangerous, and natural avalanches may occur. Triggering avalanches large enough to bury people is possible on slopes where the wind has formed drifts or stiffened the snow surface. While the chance of triggering a large avalanche is highest on southeast and east aspects, avalanches are also possible in steep, wind-sheltered terrain on other aspects in east-facing ravines. Choose to travel on wind scoured slopes or hard snow surfaces without overhead hazard to help avoid an avalanche.   

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    7-8 inches of recent snow combined with increasing west winds overnight are the ingredients to create thick wind slabs on northeast, east, and southeast aspects at middle elevations today. Strong northwest winds will continue to drive snow loading onto east and southeast aspects, where natural avalanches will be possible.  

    These wind slabs lie above a variable surface including a hard melt-freeze crust and also existing moderately reactive slabs built over the last 48 hours. Yesterday, skiers triggered a small avalanche on one of the recent slabs. Observers in the terrain yesterday found a buried weak layer of graupel in many locations which may fail when a stiff slab is formed above. 

    If the snow you are traveling through becomes deeper and denser you've found a wind slab. Cracks shooting out from in front of your skis are clear indications that the slab you found is unstable. Look for blowing snow at the ridgelines as a red flag to know that northwest wind is loading snow onto east facing aspects. Signs of recent avalanches are a sign that slopes are unstable.

Avalanche Discussion

Forecasters and observers in the terrain yesterday were universally concerned that widely distributed instabilities on many aspects in east facing ravines would be a concern today if loaded with new wind slabs. Yesterday’s avalanche hazards could best be described as small-medium sized avalanches in many areas. Today, wind loading overnight and today changes the size of the avalanche problem, but the distribution likely remains unchanged. Large avalanches are possible in southeast and east aspects and small avalanches likely in other aspects. 

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. 

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. 

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