Significant snowfall from the weekend and the return of gusty winds will create a high risk of avalanches in parts of the White Mountains.

Amid the harsh cold and severe wind, an avalanche warning has been issued for parts of the White Mountains until 7 a.m. Tuesday, the Mount Washington Avalanche Center said.

The climbers were identified as Vincent Lapointe, 31, of Montgomery Center, Vermont, and Zephi Friel, 36, of Concord, New Hampshire. They were given a ride by snowmobile back to the awaiting Littleton Ambulance, arriving at 1:52 PM.

Large and destructive avalanches are "very likely" on Mount Washington Monday due to extreme winds, forecasters say.