Huntington Ravine 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 weather forecast for the higher summits is calling for occasional light snow with 2.5 to 5 cm (1-2") of accumulation throughout the day. Snow is expected to continue through the night and give us a total of 7.5 to 15 cm (3-6") of snow by tomorrow morning. Today, the light snow will be accompanied by S and SW winds at 24 to 48 kph (15-30 mph). Given the amount of snow we are forecasted to receive and the wind directions and speeds, we don't expect this to significantly effect our snow stability today. However, if snowfall amounts exceed those forecasted we could see instabilities increase through the day. If this situation occurs, expect areas posted at Low to become Moderate by the end of the day. NE aspects will be the most prone to wind loading today due to the SW winds. Tomorrow winds are expected to shift into the west. With 7.5 to 15 cm of new snow and west winds we anticipate significant loading in both Ravines. Expect an elevated avalanche danger tomorrow.

Areas posted at Moderate today have dense windslabs in strong lee areas to NW winds. These windslabs were deposited by strong NNW and NW winds throughout last week. Some direct action avalanche activity occured during the wind events due to newly transported snow. Since these avalanches occured, most of these areas have filled in again. Winds on Friday night were sustained over 155 kph. These very strong winds pulverized and tightly packed snow grains which created very dense windslabs. A fracture line profile on a hard slab avalanche that occurred in the Sluice found a maximum crown depth of 220 cm with pencil hard slab the entire depth. Due to new wind loading, it was difficult to determine the exact layer on which this avalanche failed, however, we believe that it was a layer of early stage facets above a rain crust that began developing on January 3. Similar slabs still exist in the Lip, Sluice and Right Gully. We feel that due to the deep and hard nature of these slabs it could be difficult for a single climber or skier to trigger them. However, if this did occur the resulting avalanche could be large in reference to depth.

The John Sherburne ski trail has variable conditions. Expect areas of water ice, new drifts, and abrupt water bars. Be prepared for sudden changes in the trail.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. This is a steep and challenging route. Ice axe, crampons, and the skill to use them well are necessary for safe travel. Remember, it is always easier to go up than come down.

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.