Huntington Ravine has CONSIDERABLE AND MODERATE avalanche danger today. The Escape Hatch, South Gully, O'Dell's, Pinnacle, and Central Gullies have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. Yale, Damnation, and North Gullies have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain.

Yet another snow event is upon us! Expectations for this weather maker have been all over the board during the last couple of days. Forecasts have gone from 3” (7.5cm) to 12” (30cm) and back to 4”-8” (10-20) as the trough and system track moves around. As of 7am our accumulated snow and water equivalent data is fairly consistent between the manual snow plots on the Summit, at Hermit Lake and over at the Harvard Cabin. We received between 3.5-4” (9-10cm) of new snow with densities between 7.7-8% for all locations. We will continue to get snow through the afternoon with an additional 2-4” (5-10cm) expected. This would give us between 7-8” (18-20cm) for the entire event. Snowfall through the evening has come in on S winds around 20mph (32 kph). Over the past hour the wind has shifted and is now coming from the SE as it slowly moves to an easterly direction for most of the day. Winds will stay light between 20-25mph (32-40 kph) for this avalanche advisory period which will keep loading light although densities are a bit below normal. With this said expect the most direct loading and cross loading on northern aspects with some cross loading on southerly aspects later in the day. Some deep-gullied east-facing slopes with sheltering buttresses like the Chute may have picked up some loading on last night's S winds. We know that snow accumulation will continue but an inch one way or the other won’t be the absolute critical bulls-eye data as much as exactly what speeds wind will reach today. All forecasts are putting the higher summits up to 25 mph (40kph). If we begin to exceed this by as little as 5mph loading should pick up with our light density snow. So keep a very close eye on what SE to E winds are doing while you’re in, or below, angled terrain today. Expect all areas to climb through their ratings as the day progresses and be prepared for some northerly aspects to be on the upper end of their definitions if we reach the maximum weather forecast parameters for precipitation and wind speed. As the Considerable rating says--Natural avalanches are possible.

Winds are anticipated to stay from the E into Friday as high pressure drifts in and overtakes the region though Saturday before Sunday’s weather system moves in. With all this snow you thought you were dreaming and living in Utah, huh!?! Well back to reality you’re a New Englander so here it comes--our beloved wintry mix and.....yup rain. We’ll get into all the nasty dreaded conversation about this system Friday night in the Weekend Update and the Saturday advisory.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail is open with continuous snow from top to bottom, however this trail has also been hammered by the wind. THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS NOW OPEN. This is a steep and challenging route for mountaineers. Crampons, an ice axe and the ability to properly use this equipment are recommended for safe travel on this route.