Huntington Ravine has Moderate and Low avalanche danger today. Central and South Gullies have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. All other forecast areas in Huntington have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely EXCEPT in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Today I get to be the bearer of wonderful news. Not only is the sky clear blue but we also officially enter winter this afternoon and the days begin to get longer. That means the sun will climb higher into the sky and we'll have more minutes each day to get out and enjoy the mountains. Today might be a good one to go for a hike, climb or ski but don't plan on stopping for long as the projected high on the Summits will be around 0F(-18C) with wind-chills much lower. Winds have begun to subside a little and are expected to shift from the NW to the W. The Summit picked up 3.1"(7.9cm) of new snow overnight with strong NW winds transporting much of it farther downhill. Avalanche activity occurred in a few areas in both Ravines but the winds did a decent job of filling in fracture lines and obliterating the debris. These same winds effected slopes and gullies in a variety of ways. Some areas have been scoured to a hard old surface while others lost just the new snow and had the underlying layer of medium hardness snow hammered into beatiful sastrugi. Sheltered locations in the strong lee of NW winds were left with creamy fresh windslab. These new slabs are quite large in the areas rated Moderate today and also exist as isolated pockets in the areas rated as Low. Human triggered avalanches are the primary concern today in all areas. Even though an area is rated as Low, it does not make it totally safe and adventurous types must recognize the potential consequences of triggering even a small pocket. With that said, those with good route-finding skills will be able to avoid most isolated pockets in areas posted as Low. Spatial variability is high today even as you travel through a single forecast area so stay on your toes. Breaking trail on the approach to avalanche terrain may prove to be a crux in its own right today as much of the snow from the upper mountain was blown down into the trees. If nothing else it will keep you warm despite the cold temps! This may play out to be an interesting week with snow showers expected through Christmas and beyond. These conditions can create instability behind your back as an inch or two a day barely shows up on the radar screen. Pay attention to how these small numbers add up and are transported by the winds of Mount Washington. We will keep you up to date from day to day in the daily Advisory.

THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS NOW CLOSED DUE TO THE AVALANCHE PRONE SLOPES JUST BELOW TREELINE. THE LION HEAD WINTER ROUTE IS OPEN. Mountaineering skills and equipment are required for safe travel on this route.

The Sherburne Ski Trail has top to bottom coverage though it is quite thin in places. Expect rocks and abrupt waterbars along the way.

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.