Huntington Ravine will have MODERATE and LOW avalanche danger. The Escape Hatch, South Gully, O'Dell's, Pinnacle, and Central Gully will have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. Yale, Damnation, and North Gullies have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Overcast skies offer some foreshadowing to the precipitation that should move into the higher mountains this afternoon. With the low pressure coming into a fairly dry airmass, the initial moisture will struggle to reach the ground. As we move through the afternoon snow will accumulate with the help of SE winds that will shift to the S late in the day. The rain on snow event from several days ago has created a substance resembling cured concrete on angled terrain. Any new loading from today's 1-3" (2.5-7.5cm) on this old surface will likely have poor adhesion so expect weak bonding associated with any new slab development. Today's Moderate ratings are in anticipation of what we expect to happen this afternoon as snow accumulates with winds between 10-20mph (16-32kph). Until loading begins in the upper start zones we will have Low avalanche danger around the board. Light SE and S winds will focus most new slabs near the top of predominately N-facing aspects and the cross loading of those with an easterly component. Expect the upper reaches of gullies like Hillman's, Left, South, and O'Dell's to reach the Moderate rating earlier than the Headwall or Central gullies but all areas posted as such should be into their Moderate rating by dark. The aforementioned N-facing aspects will have the greatest instabilities by the end of the avalanche forecast period. Slopes with other aspects will catch up overnight and tomorrow as winds shift to come from the W and NW with gusts up to 60mph (97kph). As this occurs, loading will pick up in The Bowl, Lip, and Right Gully in Tuckerman and Pinnacle, Central, Yale, Damnation and North gullies in Huntington.

After today's weather event a couple more quick moving systems will hit us over the next 2-3 days and snow is a potential for the upcoming 6 days. No big 1-day accumulations, but it could make things interesting stability-wise over the weekend. With the weather changing so rapidly we will likely take each system day by day so check this advisory each morning.

As Jeff said yesterday crampons and an ice axe continue to be absolutely essential equipment. A sliding fall on angled terrain would result in a quick battle between gravity and your self-arrest skills. You'll need to arrest the fall quite quickly, before you have a chance to accelerate. The potential still remains for ice dams to release under the impact of an axe, kick of a crampon, or placement of a screw. The likelihood of this happening is on the decline, but it's still worth paying attention to.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail is open with continuous snow from top to bottom. Expect hard icy conditions. THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS 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.