Huntington Ravine will have CONSIDERABLE and LOW avalanche danger today. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable in steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. The only exception to this rating is the Escape Hatch which has Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Today's stability ratings are based on how today's weather could play out through the course of the day. Currently it is snowing up here and we have received 2" (5cm) of 7% snow at Hermit Lake as of 6:30 this morning. The Summit is reporting 1.1" (2.6 cm) of new snow with a density of 11%. Snow bands to our west will move through the White Mountains as an area of low pressure moves into the Canadian Maritimes and a ridge of high pressure builds. As this occurs today we will see snow as the bands pass through and the potential for upslope moisture to increase and add to the snow totals later in the day. This scenario makes it difficult to pin down how much snow we will actually get but 1 to 3+ additional inches of snow accumulation seems possible. Winds will be out of the WNW today and increasing to 45 to 60 mph (72 to 97 kph) this afternoon. All of this information raises some red flags to us. If this all occurs we will be looking at upwards of 5 to 6 inches (12 to 15 cm) of new light density snow moving into the Ravines on increasing WNW winds. The winds speeds are ideal for creating soft slab conditions in many locations and I would expect these slabs to be quite sensitive to human triggers. Prior to this new snow, stability concerns around the Ravines were minimal. Some lingering pockets of wind slab still had us concerned around the Lip area in Tuckerman but most other areas fell within the Low rating. While most areas are not at Considerable yet, this rating reflects where they will be later today if the above weather scenario plays out, with concerns of both natural and human triggered avalanches.

Remember, snow stability assessment and avalanche rescue skills are perishable. You must practice, PRactice, PRACTice, PRACTICE!!! Your life, and those in your group, depend on it! Make sure your partners have been practicing too, since your life is in their hands if you get buried. We have all the avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail is open, with continuous snow from top to bottom. Many large waterbars and exposed rocks make this a challenging early season ski. The Lion Head Summer Trail is currently open. The change to the Winter Route will occur when snow conditions warrant. We'll let you know of the change when it takes place.