Huntington Ravine has MODERATE avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain.

We will have an increasing avalanche danger through the day continue reading the discussion for clarification of today's rating.

Well yet another rain event followed by a change over to snow with dropping temperatures from Canada. This would be right near the top of David Letterman's "Top 10 Weather Events on Mt. Washington"! We have seen this time and time again, but each scenario plays out a bit different as the critical factors tend to vary every time. This latest event began early yesterday morning as rain at all elevations. Intensity increased in the afternoon before tapering off into the last hours of the day. The summit picked up .95" (2.4cm) of rain by midnight. In addition to liquid from the sky we hit 43 degrees F (6C) at 3800ft which caused melting freewater to trickle down helping to saturate the snowpack. Overnight the temperatures fell forcing moisture to change over to snow as the Low pressure passed us heading into the Maritimes. The system is expected to produce wrap around moisture through the day totaling up to 6" (15cm) of new snow by dark. As of 6 this morning the summit picked up 2.2" (5.5cm) of snow while Hermit Lake received only a trace at 3800ft. Snow is expected to slow down this afternoon as air dries out. I believe accumulations will be very elevation dependent with the summit likely doing far better than lower levels. Associated with this precipitation will be a cooling trend as temperatures fall down through the teens F (-10/-11C). Winds are expected to blow out of the N and NW at 40-60+ (65-95kph) As temperatures continue to fall from the current of 21F (-6C) new snow densities will be easily moved by the these winds loading and cross loading a number of areas of both ravines. The critical slopes will obviously be S and SE facing slopes however topography above the Ravines can change wind directions in some locations. This is particularly true in Huntington where a N/NW winds can generate some W winds in gullies like Pinnacle and Central. So getting to the point of stability. Snow began falling on slopes while they still retained heat from the rain so I believe initial bonding to be good. As temperatures fall and winds move lighter densities snow into the Ravines I expect an increasing avalanche danger all day. For the majority of the day we will be in a "Low" to "Moderate" avalanche danger situation trending to Considerable late in the afternoon particularly on S and SE aspects. Therefore some areas will have natural avalanche activity being "very unlikely" this morning and "possible" later today. For the avalanche forecast to come to fruition the weather forecast needs to hold true. As of 8:15 we still only hold a trace of snow at 3800ft, but be cautious not to bet this is occurring at all elevations. Today is one of those days where you might be in the bottom of your intended gully with a dusting at your feet while the start zone 1000ft higher is being loaded with new slab. Be increasingly cautious as the clock ticks into the afternoon.

The snowpack took on quite a bit of heat with warm rain so the re-freezing process from the surface down will be slow. Holding your weight will challenge the snow in areas that aren't packed therefore snow shoes would be a good idea. Anticipate horrendous postholing in areas like the Escape Hatch and South Gully in Huntington. The weather looks to be very dynamic over the next week. Do not turn your back on it and always be thinking about how the weather is affecting stability!

THE LION HEAD SUMMER TRAIL IS 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 is open and has decent coverage though it's very thin in places. Expect variable surface conditions and a developing hard icy surface with ugly breakable crust today as temperature drop and freeze yesterday's rain.

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.