Presidential Range

Avalanches are unlikely today. Be prepared for the dangers of a springtime snowpack which includes undermined snow, deep snow holes, rock and ice fall. Additionally, a refrozen snow surface may significantly increase the risk of long sliding falls. Bring your crampons, ice axe and maintain an awareness of the hazards above and below you.

It's been a week since the last snowfall in the Presidentials, and the combination of recent warm temperatures and 2 inches of rain has significantly lowered today's avalanche risks. However, snow expected today and tonight could raise avalanche danger, especially in east-facing ravines as we move into tomorrow. Snow accumulations are uncertain and will hinge on how a developing low pressure system behaves and where the freezing line settles. Check back tomorrow morning for updated information.

If snow totals are higher than expected, and freeze elevations drop, be prepared for small wet-loose avalanches higher in the terrain today. We expect these to be small, and largely inconsequential except for initiating a fall in steep terrain. 

Significant snow melt has introduced springtime mountain hazards. 

• Refrozen snow surface: With temperatures dropping today, be prepared for an icy snow surface which would be unforgiving for a dangerous long sliding fall. With warmer temperatures low in the ravines, and much colder temperatures on the higher summits, easy booting may turn into careful footwork with crampons as you climb higher in the terrain. Hard boots, crampons and an ice axe can help prevent a dangerous fall. 
• Undermined snow: Meltwater flowing under the snowpack melts away the snow above, creating thin bridges of snow that can collapse. These will emerge at the tops of gullies (particularly on south-facing slopes) and in areas that have streams running, like the brook feeding the Little Headwall. The sound of running water can sometimes be heard under the snow and is a good indicator of this hazard.

• Snow holes: These openings in the snowpack can be very deep and large enough for a person to fall into. In most cases, these openings have no reasonable exit until the snow completely finishes melting. These features have been a factor in several accidents over the years.

• Ice and rockfall: Over the years many people have been severely injured or killed by falling ice in Tuckerman Ravine. The most hazardous locations are in the center and right side of the ravine, including Lunch Rocks, the Sluice, Lip, and Center Bowl. Warm weather and rain increase the potential for icefall to occur. Avoid spending time in high risk areas like Lunch Rocks or on the floor of the ravine in the fall line of ice in the headwall.

You can read more about springtime mountain hazards here: https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecenter.org/springtime-mountain-hazards-2/

OBSERVATIONS: Please consider submitting an observation of what you are seeing in your travels. Submitting an observation hones your skills, informs other users, and improves our forecasts. 

Help avalanche researchers! The Colorado Avalanche Information Center, the Avalanche Research Program at Simon Fraser University, and the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research are researching how skiers, snowmobilers, snowshoers, ice climbers, and anyone else who travels in the backcountry interpret avalanche forecast information. Completing this survey will take approximately 20 minutes. Thank you!