Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

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Out of date — this forecast expired 3 years ago.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

Highlights

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist, especially in east facing ravines. Avalanches large enough to bury people are likely. Avoiding or limiting time beneath avalanche paths is highly recommended.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Very Likely
    Size
    1–3

    Wind slabs varying in depth and sensitivity can be found on all aspects today. After many hours of strong northwest wind, slabs will be most thick and most sensitive at middle elevations in the steep east facing ravines around Mount Washington. Strong and extreme winds have likely pushed slab formation lower on the slopes, while scouring the upper start zones. Look for areas of smooth, rounded snow to identify new wind slabs compared to the textured, wind-affected snow.

    Wind loading is likely to continue throughout the morning and has the potential to continue to build wind slabs. While this is happening, the possibility of large or very large natural avalanches remains. 

    At lower elevations, warm temperatures yesterday promoted stability, though the chance for finding a small wind slab remains from active wind loading overnight. 

    Eliminate exposure to large east and south-facing avalanche paths to avoid the greatest hazards when route planning today.

    (3/16/2023)

    Mt Washington Summit Observations from the MWOBS

Avalanche Discussion

10-20 inches of snow from the recent storm continues to be transported and redistributed by northwest winds.  With poor visibility yesterday and this morning, there is still uncertainty around the size of new slabs and the extent of recent avalanche activity. There should be plenty of red flags today that identify dangerous conditions from a safe distance. Look for wind-blown snow at the ridgelines, recent avalanches or debris, and shooting cracks on the trails and low angle terrain. 

Blowing snow may limit visibility and make it challenging to identify the location of large wind slabs from a safe distance. 

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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