The Mountain received just a bit over a trace of new snow overnight which has not affected stability in either Ravine. Another shot of snow is expected tonight and then on Thursday snow is currently predicted across NH and southern Maine. Although we are likely to stay all snow in the North it appears higher water equivalents will be south of the mountains. Snow is then anticipated to be on and off until Sunday when freezing rain is possible. But don't fret about the weekend yet it's a long way off as far as New England weather is concerned.

Due to hard surface conditions in many locations mountaineers should be aware of long sliding falls to occur on steep terrain if self-arrest is not achieved quickly. All visitors travelling on angled terrain 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 is quite hard and has locked up with a drop in temperatures. We are getting to the point where we need snow badly. The lower half of the trail is mostly a veneer of hard base intermingled with turf, 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.