Tuckerman Ravine has LOW and MODERATE avalanche danger. Hillman's Highway, Lower Snowfields, Little Headwall, and Left Gully have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. Normal caution is advised. The Bowl, Headwall, Lip and Right Gully have Moderate avalanche danger today. 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 avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT IN ISOLATED POCKETS. Normal caution is advised.

For a Snow Ranger starting the New Year with rain doesn't do much for the spirit. The only way I can take it on a regular basis is to remind myself that all weather is beautiful, while Brian on the other hand can't help but weep as rain washes away his tears. Do any snow ritual you can think of to pop us out of this week's frequent forecast of a 'Wintry Mix'. Think snow!! The summit received little moisture between 6am yesterday and midnight melting down to only 1.8mm (.07in) of water equivalent. Around 3:30 am things got interesting as the front approached from the west. Sleet began changing to light and moderate intensity snowfall, followed by snow pellets, hail, and heavy ice pellets as lightning and thunder came rolling through the mountains. Between 3:30 and 6:00 the summit picked up 5cm (1.9in) of all these precipitation forms melting to 13mm (.51in) of water. At Hermit Lake we picked up 7.1mm of melt falling as ice pellets and rain while lower elevations and the foothills received heavy rain during the same period. Temperatures went above freezing yesterday for all areas in both Ravines with out much precipitation. The high at the 3800ft level rose to 6C (41F). This assisted the consolidation process for many areas hanging on to lingering instabilities and elastic slab properties. As a result many areas have been dropped to 'Low' avalanche danger. However, there is still some concern that freewater is percolating through our highest instabilities on southern aspects from this mornings frontal passage. Although unlikely there is a slight potential for natural activity in areas posted at 'Moderate' this morning. But falling temperatures will slowly stabilize areas by freezing free water from the surface down through the day. Cold air being brought in behind the front is dropping our temperatures quickly. The summit went from -2.5C (28F) at 5am to -8C (17F) as of 7:45am. Most snowpack instability concerns exist for the next several hours until the freezing process becomes established. Snow showers are expected for today with high W and NW winds so anticipate the potential for pockets of snow to develop in lee areas. Water equivalents are forecasted to be light so we don't expect more than 2-4cm (.75-1.5in).

A crust will once again make travel on the mountain slick. Mountaineers should be aware of the potential for long sliding falls to occur on steep terrain if self-arrest is not achieved quickly. Conditions under the new snow are very hard and icy. All visitors should be prepared with crampons and an ice axe.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route.

The John Sherburne Ski Trail will become very hard through the day so expect challenging conditions. Razor sharp edges would be beneficial. Turf is beginning to peek out in addition to some rocks, bushes, and deep waterbars.

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. 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.