Huntington Ravine has CONSIDERABLE and HIGH avalanche danger today. Escape Hatch and North Gully have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. All other forecast areas in Huntington have High avalanche danger. Natural and human triggered avalanches are likely. Travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

Oh boy, here it is! The last 24 hours have brought an early Christmas gift with 9cm (3.6in) of 10% snow at both the summit and Hermit Lake. W and WNW winds have been consistent in the 65-90kph (40-55mph) range and blowing snow has been a part of all of the summit's hourly observations since yesterday afternoon. Temperatures have plummeted and continue to fall toward the summit's expected low in the afternoon of -23C(-10F). These arctic conditions add to the poor bonding that new snow is striking to acheive with old snow. In most forecast areas we expect to see windslab struggling to adhere to the weekend's slick crust or yesterday's trace of light density snow that fell on top of this crust. It is not an easy task trying to form a lasting relationship under these type of conditions! Winds are expected to increase slightly over the day and wrap around to the NW. This slight change will bring in even more snow to load lee slopes and gullies. As these winds change speed and direction we expect to see windslab forming lower on slopes in places like the Fan in Huntington thereby creating risk in approaching the floors of the Ravines. Seems to me like a good day to go find some lift serve skiing or take a run on the Sherburne! Many areas began today's early hours in the lower reaches of their forecasted rating but have climbed since and may move toward the upper end of their rating if we see winds in excess of the forecasted 65-95kph(40-60mph) and/or snow exceeding the 2.5cm(1in) forecast.

Over the next few days we will be closely monitoring the possibility of rapid facet growth beneath the thick crust. Temperatures have begun a downward spike and are expected to be quite low for at least 24 hours. This will generate massive temperature gradients with the crust inhibiting upward vapor movement. Vapor will then likely recrystalize and may become a future weak layer particularly in areas with thinner crusts. Check back over the next few days and we'll keep you posted.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail is improving with every bit of snow we receive. It is still undoubtedly in early season condition and you can expect abrupt waterbars, lots of bushes and rocks hidden under new snow. New snow on a beefy crust should make it a bit more challenging so be prepared for less than ideal conditions.

Remember if the snowfield is large enough to ski or recreate on it's large enough to avalanche. 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.