Avalanche forecast

Presidential Range

Mount Washington Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Alpine
1 · Low
Treeline
1 · Low
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 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
    Unlikely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Disconnected wind slabs can be found across steep, wind-sheltered terrain. These firm slabs are variable in depth from 6 inches to 3 feet deep. They are stubborn to react to external load or force and do not have a tendency to propagate, though it is not impossible to find a “sweet spot” today and trigger a small avalanche. Though small, these slabs would produce very hard avalanche debris, move extremely fast, and could take you for a long, unforgiving ride.

Avalanche Discussion

Though unlikely to trigger a wind slab avalanche today, it should be noted that our forecast team found a variety of snow surface types and densities, particularly in cliff-sheltered areas on easterly slopes. This variability creates the opportunity to find an instability with a potential to avalanche. For this reason, it is worth paying attention to changes happening underneath your feet when moving in avalanche terrain. Avoiding hollow-sounding or softer areas of snow could be a good way to reduce this risk. 

On steep, south-facing slopes it is possible to encounter a thin sun crust which formed yesterday after ample amounts of sunshine and minimal wind. I would expect this crust to be breakable, if present at all, and to act as a slippery bed surface for future avalanche activity after more snowfall. 

The subsurface of the snowpack is a collection of wind slab density changes, crusts from old rain events, and mid-storm precipitation changes from the most recent snowstorm on January 17th. On paper, these are weak layers and weak interfaces within the snowpack. However, in field tests they react to increased loads by producing inconsistent results with stubborn weak layer failures and chunky debris rather than propagation with smooth failure planes. 

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 nice weekend, 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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