Presidential Range

Extreme winds continue to drive new snow plus snow on the ground into more sheltered terrain. The wind slabs that result may avalanche naturally today with a very large avalanche possible in isolated areas. Human triggering of an avalanche is likely on steep slopes where wind drifted snow accumulates. Winds gusting well over 100 mph will complicate mountain travel by reducing visibility, kicking up ground blizzards and exposing a rock-hard, icy crust anywhere that large drifts don’t form. The possibility of large, hard slab avalanches sliding on steep slopes near treeline raises the avalanche danger to CONSIDERABLE today. Softer slabs at middle elevations may create smaller unstable areas that are more sensitive to human triggering.

TONIGHT! Thursday, February 25 @ 7PM - Barriers to Cognition and Perception with Blake Keogh  - A Free Zoom Webinar. 

A large to very large (D2.5) avalanche released from the headwall of Tuckerman Ravine Tuesday night. This is a good reminder that the current drought the range is experiencing still produces enough snow for large and dangerous avalanches. A quick look at the summit weather records shows that we have received 30-50% of average precipitation amounts since the start of November. This generally cool and dry period of time was punctuated by several heavy precipitation events consisting of rain or wet snow. The resulting spatial variability in the crusty, faceted, deeper snowpack, combined with longer days and more intense solar gain, will drive some uncertainty going forward once things warm up. I may be jumping the gun with thoughts of warming but dynamic weather with frequent but limited new snow has been keeping the danger rating in the moderate - considerable range, precisely the rating that claims the most lives. As we warm up, sunny days and an illusory promise of corn snow brings many more potential triggers to steep avalanche terrain. Be careful out there.

Information on all US avalanche fatalities can be found here with details and accident reports appearing as they are submitted to the CAIC.  An interview with Simon Trautman of the National Avalanche Center on the recent cluster of fatal avalanche accidents can be found here. 

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to submit all the observations of snow and avalanche conditions, both inside and outside our avalanche forecast area. Please keep them coming. 

Your avalanche, snowpack, or weather observations are extremely valuable to the forecasters at MWAC. Help create a more accurate avalanche forecast by submitting your observations here. 

Listen to the weekly MWAC Outreach Podcast provided by Ski The Whites. Discussions include snowpack information, weekend outlook, and general avalanche related info. 

TONIGHT! Thursday, February 25 @ 7PM - Barriers to Cognition and Perception with Blake Keogh  - A Free Zoom Webinar.

The Harvard Cabin is open for camping only with no entry allowed inside the cabin. There is no access to the breezeway at HoJos.

Please Remember:

• Safe travel in avalanche terrain requires training and experience. This forecast is just one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. You control your own risk by choosing where, when, and how you travel.
• Avalanche danger may change when actual weather differs from the higher summits forecast.

For more information contact the US Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC visitor services staff at the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, or the caretakers at Hermit Lake Shelters or seasonally at the Harvard Cabin (generally December 1 through March 31). The Mount Washington Ski Patrol is also available on spring weekends.