Huntington Ravine has MODERATE and LOW avalanche danger. South, O'Dell's, and Central 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.

One beautiful warm day is in store today before the great buckets in the sky tip over for the weekend. Sunny conditions will prevail today raising the summit temperatures rapidly above freezing. This will do several things to the existing new snow that blew in on high winds over the past 36 hours. Slab elasticity will begin baking out of snow through the morning hours creating a general stabilizing trend. As temperatures continue rising, particularly on southern aspects, anticipate stability to start decreasing again causing the avalanche danger to once again increase. This may cause loose sluffing, and although still unlikely there is a slight potential for a small wet slab to release. Although we don't feel this concern is worthy of a "Considerable" rating some southern aspects with the most new snow may climb to the upper end of Moderate this afternoon. The areas of most concern exist in Tuckerman's northern Headwall, the Lip and the Sluice. Another growing concern is the threat of falling ice in both Ravines over the next couple of days with warming temperatures and rain for tomorrow. Rain beginning early tomorrow and running late into Saturday is anticipated to bring upwards of 2 INCHES (5CM) OF RAIN!! Although rain should change to snow at the upper most elevations late Saturday I am expecting the avalanche danger to be "Considerable or High" by late in the day tomorrow. So far January is making me long for the snows of October. In true Mount Washington fashion the rains will be followed by a "stiff lock up" as anything wet will freeze solid as cold air trails in behind the passing storm. Highly consider what may happen trying to dismantle a frozen tent above treeline Sunday morning, if you can even get the poles apart. As freeze up occurs expect "ice dams" to be a hazard on ice climbs Sunday and Monday.

If you plan on going off the beaten path, bring snowshoes. The wet snowpack is perfect for absolutely epic post-holing adventures.

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 with varying conditions. Expect new snow, old crust, deep waterbars and typical New England goodness. Expect it to deteriorate rapidly over the next 36 hours.

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.