Tuckerman Ravine has LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. Right Gully, Little Headwall and Lower Snowfields have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised. All other forecast areas in Tuckerman Ravine have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible in steep terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain.

Huntington Ravine has LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. The Escape Hatch and North Gully have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised. All other forecast areas in Huntington have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain.

It has been an interesting few days up here if you love changing New England weather. We have seen high winds, blue skies, snow, and cold temperatures. The latest stability concern was an increase in winds which began Saturday night. This moved light density snow that had been sitting above treeline from previous precipitation events. The new wind loading was associated with an additional 7.5cm (3in) of snow that fell yesterday morning with high W winds. Instability rose through the day before subsiding last night due to a reduction in winds and precipitation which eliminated additional loading. What we are left with this morning is a mixed bag of snow conditions. Wind has battered some areas creating a very hard slab we refer to as "wind pack". Other areas in the strong lee, less than a rope length or a turn away, are soft slab knee to thigh deep over light unconsolidated layers and graupel. You may also find pooled graupel buried in some small pockets with lower angle benches in places like the center and north side of the Bowl in Tuckerman. Clearly the spatial variability from pocket to pocket can be quite substantial. You will find instabilities that may cause slope failure differ as you move through your chosen terrain.

So, if you want to find trouble today you will find it, but a skilled route finder who constantly evaluates stability as they move could locate an acceptable route with greatly reduced risk. The terrain has isolated and broken up many instabilities into smaller islands which reduces the overall hazard, but consider the consequences of an avalanche of any size before barreling into a particular pocket or open slope. Remember if the snowfield is large enough to ski or recreate on it's large enough to avalanche. It is appropriate that the danger rating has moved from yesterdays "Considerable" to "Moderate". But realize we are at the upper end of that rating in most areas particularly aspects in the strong lee of this weekends W and WNW winds. As the next weather maker moves in tonight expect the ratings to increase. Forecasts are expecting snow changing to sleet and freezing precipitation which will increase snow instability. As the models are not all in agreement for the higher mountains we will cross our fingers for all snow.

As always, this advisory is one more tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. It should be use 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. To improve these skills take an avalanche course. We have all the avalanche courses offered in and around the Mt. Washington Valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.