Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Fri
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

You could trigger a large and destructive avalanche in east-facing terrain above 3000 ft. Warning signs will be limited, though hard slabs may sound hollow and drum-like underfoot. Look for pillowy smooth drifts on steep slopes to identify areas of potentially unstable snow and travel on textured snow surfaces to limit your exposure.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    What and where is it: Large slabs of wind-drifted snow are becoming increasingly stubborn, but it remains possible for you to trigger them in steep east-facing terrain above 3000 ft. Observed drifts are several feet thick with strong-over-weak structure. 

    How can you recognize it: Your best tool will be your eyes; take time to identify smooth, pillowy drifts and be cautious in areas that have convexities or are steep and unsupported, as these will be the most likely areas you could trigger an avalanche. There will be limited warning signs and these slabs may appear stable.

    How can you manage it: If you are traveling on hollow, stiff snow, dig down to assess. Use a pole to probe for structure, and if you find strong-over-weak, consider using hand shears or column tests to assess sensitivity. Specific terrain features to keep in mind will be areas protected by the wind, like gullies, convex rollovers, and underneath cliffs. These will be areas to limit your exposure to, and if you choose to travel across them, take the time to assess the snow carefully.

Avalanche Discussion

Wind slabs formed from 18 inches of snow on the 26th are beginning to settle, but they are not there yet. Debris from large and very large natural avalanches was observed yesterday in east-facing terrain in Tuckerman Ravine that occurred on the 27th. Continued cold temperatures may have preserved the same weak layer of soft snow on a firm old snow layer. While naturals are unlikely, it remains possible for you to trigger a similarly large avalanche.

You are unlikely to encounter any warning signs (like shooting cracks) and slabs may present as stable. However, treat wind-drifted surface slabs as guilty until proven otherwise. 

Avalanche paths in eastern terrain are large and well-connected, especially terrain like Tuckerman Ravine and Hillman’s Highway that just naturally cycled. In the ravine, future avalanches have the potential to run past Connection Cache as the path is incredibly well defined. In Hillman’s Highway, some debris jumped the dogleg, and future avalanches are likely to begin to fill in the historic runout. Keep this in mind for future loading events and consider increasing your travel margins and reevaluating the terrain that you consider safe. 

The Summer Lion Head Traverse continues to become a larger and more connected snow slope as seen from photos from both the road and trail. This terrain shelters snow and is a type of feature to be cautious of today. The consequence of triggering an avalanche here due to the terrain trap below could be devastating. The Winter Route is the recommended way to the Summit of Mount Washington from Pinkham Notch.

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation on our website or in the new Avy phone app 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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