Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Areas of unstable snow may exist today in steep, east and south-facing avalanche terrain. Areas with a smooth snow surface appearance and a hollow sound are also the most likely places to cause an avalanche today. Being caught in even a small avalanche can have deadly consequences, especially with firm snow surfaces and exposed rocks, ice, and vegetation.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Disconnected wind slabs can be found consistently across steep, wind-sheltered terrain. These firm slabs are variable in depth from 6 inches to 3 feet deep with a strong-over-weak structure. Though they are stubborn to react to external load or force, many thin-spots in the snowpack (where it is easier to disrupt the weakest snow and slab/crust interface) make it possible to trigger a D1 - D2 sized avalanche. Though small, these slabs would produce very hard avalanche debris, move extremely fast, and could take you for a long, unforgiving ride or bury you.

Avalanche Discussion

Since our last sizable snow storm on January 17th, classic west and northwest winds have blown and scoured westerly slopes and redeposited snow onto easterly slopes throughout the forecast area. Very high winds immediately post-storm did a good job at blowing much of this snow past our avalanche terrain instead of into it. However, there was enough left over to build 1 - 3 foot deep slabs in isolated areas. These slabs are mostly confined to the eastern ravines on Mount Washington - Tuckerman, Gulf of Slides, and Huntington. However, this avalanche problem can still be found in other areas where terrain features have done a good job of sheltering wind-deposited snow.  The thin snowpack has prohibited our terrain from producing large, connected avalanches, however this will change quickly with another snowstorm.

This thin snowpack also presents skiers and climbers with the additional hazard of obstacles in the event of a fall or if carried by an avalanche. Historically, these outcomes have been ugly. Don’t forget to consider the runout zone and worst case fall scenario when making decisions in the mountains. 

On a Saturday with nice weather, expect the limited terrain options to be crowded. Other people above or below you represent a significant hazard to you in the mountains, as you cannot control their actions. This human factor has been the cause of numerous accidents in the past. 

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

Please help us and your fellow skiers, riders, and climbers by submitting any pertinent or interesting observations to our website. 

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