The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for New Hampshire! Weather forecasts suggest that the storm will arrive here early this evening and dump snow tonight and through tomorrow bringing us 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24") of new snow. This storm is a Nor'Easter, which means our winds will be out of the E, NE and N respectively through its duration. This is similar to last weeks storm that left us under 106 cm of snow. It doesn't appear that we will receive as much snow this time but the winds will shift into the north earlier. This is a better scenario for loading and cross-loading snowfields and gullies in Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines, especially south aspects. The new snow will be falling and loading onto a wide variety of surfaces. The new snow will be falling onto a thin crust, existing wind slab, brush and rock and ice. While we do have faceted crystals throughout our snowpack due to the strong temperature gradients we've had this week, I don't think this will be our primary issue with the new snow. However, I think that we are going to see widespread instabilities as a result of the new snow. Expect increasing avalanche danger as this snow moves in on us.

This storm system will be followed by clearing on Tuesday then another weather maker is due to arrive on Wednesay. It is a bit far out to talk about details but it is expected to give us periods of intense precipitation, perhaps in form of snow here in the mountains. We'll keep tabs on this and give more details as the storm continues to develop.

The John Sherburne ski trail was hit hard by Thursdays rain. Expect abrupt waterbars, patches of water ice, and rocks.

You need skis or snow-shoes to travel off the beaten path. Even with them expect your trip to be slow and difficult. THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS CLOSED AND THE WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN.

AS ALWAYS, THIS ADVISORY IS ONE MORE TOOL TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR OWN DECISIONS IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN. It should be used along with your own snow stability assessments, knowledge of safe travel techniques, skill in reading mountain weather's effect on the snowpack, and avalanche rescue.