All forecast areas in Huntington Ravine have LOW avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

There are some interesting things going on in our snowpack right now. On Friday, January 14 we received rain followed by a rapid drop in temperatures that created alpine ice conditions on the surface. Since this rain, the Summit has received 13.7 cm (5.4") of snow in small intervals. 8.3 cm (3.3") of this snow fell a week ago while a cold front was pushing out the rain and warm air. The slabs that developed during this time were subjected to significant temperature gradients and we are seeing a layer of small facets continue to develop at the interface of the crust and the slab. This is cause for concern. We have observed this process in the making and yesterday I found a layer of about 1mm facets that was 5cm thick. This was above the slippery crust and below about 22 cm of slab. I turned around at that point! With that said, realize that this scenario does not exist everywhere. Other slabs have developed from the 5.4 cm (2.2") of snow that fell since the initial 8.3 cm that followed the rain. These slabs are sitting on the slippery crust as well but we haven't seen the facet growth that we are getting under the older slabs. Moderate shears in these slabs were occurring about 2cm above the icy layer. Unless you get your nose in the snow, it will be difficult to "age" the slabs and know what kind of instability you are dealing with. There is quite a bit of old surface showing in the Ravines and it would be a good bet to stay on that when you can. Some areas posted at Moderate don't offer many options for safe travel, notably the Lip. Other areas, including Left Gully and Hillman's Highway have quite a bit of old surface but large pockets of slab that would block your way depending on your route finding choices. Spatial variability is at its best in Tuckerman Ravine right now. Conditions change rapidly as you climb, traverse or descend any given route. Assess your route carefully before you commit to it.

We are watching the track of a major Nor'easter that is expected to give southern and coastal areas a lot of snow. Unfortunately, we are on the northern fringe of the system and are expecting 5 to 10 cm (2-4") of snow. However, weather models are tracking it to move farther and farther north. We will be keeping a close eye on it and hope for a good dumping of snow and accept whatever we end up with. Either way, it looks like we will have new light density snow by tomorrow. It will be landing on an icy surface above treeline and easily be transported by wind. Expect increasing avalanche danger as the snow comes into our area.

Very hard icy surface conditions exist in most places on the mountain. Crampons and an ice axe are a must for safe travel on any angled terrain. With that said self arrest will be very difficult so move slow and methodically.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route. The John Sherburne Ski Trail has improved with new drifted snow, but you should still expect hazards such as water ice and rocks.

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.