I wish today's High rating was based on the amazing amount of new snow we had received but it is not. Instead we must embrace a good winter rain that is soaking our snowpack and will ensure another crust when we fall back below freezing. Before getting cranky about that remember that these breakable crusts made us who we are as New England skiers and riders. (My coworkers remind me of this regularly.) Over the past 24 hours Hermit Lake recorded .9" (2.3 cm) of liquid that came in the form of snow, mixed precipitation and mostly rain. The Summit has recorded .49" (1.2 cm) in the past 24 hours, also in the form of snow, mixed precipitation and rain. Rain is falling steadily at all elevations and is expected to continue through the day until a cold front brings temperatures back below freezing and precipitation back to snow. Today's stability concerns are focused on the rain and its effect on cold slabs. As the rain percolates into the snow it will add weight to slabs, break down bonds that exist in the snowpack and add lubrication at the interface of the slab and the potential bed surface. The result of this is usually an avalanche. While slab avalanches are more of a concern, I also expect to see loose snow avalanches as a result of the rain as well. Our last round of rain produced some sizeable wet loose avalanches and I suspect similar activity during this event. The area of greatest concern today is in Tuckerman Ravine because the largest and most continuous slabs live there. Other locations around the Ravines have more variability in slab consistency but all have the capability of producing an avalanche under these weather conditions. Stability will begin to improve as the colder air moves in and the rain stops. Once this occurs, an upslope flow will develop and snow showers are expected to persist in the mountains through Wednesday. These snow showers will be the focus of our attention for tomorrow's stability as they will be accompanied by west winds that will be strong enough to blow any new snow into the Ravines.

If you do venture into Tuckerman today realize a large group coming up from Hermit Lake on Saturday got way off the main trail and laid a wide track high to the uphill right of the Tuckerman Ravine trail. This route brings you into avalanche terrain.

The rain has created some unpleasant posthole conditions. Therefore snowshoes or skis are recommended for travel off the beaten path. As always, crampons, an ice axe, and solid self arrest skills are needed for travel in steep terrain. This includes the Lion Head Winter Route. The Sherburne Ski Trail is open with full coverage.