Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines will have CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. Exceptions to this are the Escape Hatch in Huntington which is at Moderate avalanche danger and the Little Headwall in Tuckerman which is posted at Low.

Well put away your flip-flops and kayaks and pull out the powder boards boys and girls because winter is back to show us who's boss!! Finally, we're getting a good olde fashion mountain storm that we are entitled to. Precipitation moved into the region late last night and has brought us 15cm (6in) of 11% snow as of 630am. Snow is expected to intensify through the day with a brief dry slot passing over us before picking up again overnight. 30-60cm(12-24 in) total depths are anticipated before the system moves out of the region. Associated with this storm are winds that that will bring SIGNIFICANT LOADING into both Ravines. Winds are currently light out of the SE, but will move to the NE by early afternoon and increase to around 55kph (35mph). This will load areas with predominately southern aspects like Damnation and Yale in Huntington and Right Gully through the Lip in Tuckerman. We are currently moving through the Moderate rating and should be to Considerable in many areas early this afternoon. In addition to slab formation by NE winds we are concerned about loose snow avalanches in steeper terrain. This is particularly true in the Huntington gullies that have large sections of water ice. Winds will continue to shift and increase this evening and should by NW after midnight. This will move large volumes of snow into all lee areas on the East side of the mountain. I expect we will have a mix of HIGH and EXTREME avalanche danger if the precipitation totals play out.

THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required on this route. Crampons and an ice axe are a must for safe travel on Mount Washington. The John Sherburne Ski Trail is going to get pretty deep over the next 24 hours with knee-deep powder. However, expect some slow plodding in flat sections by tomorrow so bring out the powder boards.

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.