Winds are expected to reach or exceed 100 miles per hour on the mountain.
Anyone venturing onto Mount Washington this weekend should be prepared to face potentially dangerous winter conditions with significant snow and dangerously cold temperatures.
According to a forecast posted Friday afternoon on the Mount Washington Observatory website by observatory weather observer and meteorologist Alex Branton, snow and high winds are expected to hit the mountain on Saturday.
While forecasting models are showing a wide discrepancy in potential snowfall, Branton said the most likely scenarios show several inches of snow falling Friday night and continuing into Saturday, and winds reaching or exceeding 100 miles per hour.
“With up to 8” of new snow possible and wind chills steadily below zero this forecast period, those planning to venture into the higher terrain should come prepared to face wintry conditions,” wrote Branton. “Whiteout conditions from snow on the ground, blowing snow, and summit fog will make trail finding difficult above tree line.”
Branton said that even on Sunday, when the fog clears, deep snow drifts that may develop will make walking on trails difficult.
Furthermore, he said, wind chills below zero will heighten exposure risks, such as hypothermia and frostbite, if inadequately prepared.
Last weekend, more than 20 hikers who were unprepared for winter conditions had to take the Cog Railway down the mountain. Another hiker who was caught in winter conditions on the mountain unexpectedly also had to be rescued.
