Huntington Ravine has Moderate and Considerable avalanche danger. North, Damnation and Yale Gullies have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanche are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. All other forecast areas in Huntington Ravine have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.

Today's weather maker will be the cause of today's instability. Precipitation type and quantity in avalanche terrain will be the key to determining what sort of instabilities we will have today. We feel that the weather could play out in a variety of ways and effect stability differently in each scenario. You will need to evaluate this and make your own determination of the stability when using avalanche terrain today. Read on for what we know about this weather maker.

Currently it is snowing and sleeting at Hermit Lake while the valleys are enduring yet another rain event. Today the summits are forecasted to receive all frozen precipitation and it is speculated that our start zones will remain frozen as well. The total liquid expected to fall on the Summit today is 1" (2.54 cm) with an anticipated total of 4-6" (10 to 15 cm) of snow. The relatively low snow totals compared to the total liquid are a result of the expected sleet and possibly freezing rain keeping frozen precipitation densities high. This precipitation will be accompanied by very strong winds. The Summit is forecasting south winds between 70 and 100 mph (112 to 160 kph) with higher gusts. These strong winds will continue into the night when they will shift to the west. Based on this information we expect loading of new snow to occur on north aspects and cross loading on east aspects. As the day progresses expect areas posted at Considerable to be on the upper end of that rating by the afternoon. As mentioned above, you will need to evaluate how this all plays out carefully. Given the total liquid that is expected out of this storm, I can see the potential for much more snow than forecasted. If this occurs then our avalanche danger could enter the high rating. I could also see the possibility for the rain line to creep up the mountain and allow rain to fall in the start zones. If this occurs after new slabs have developed then the avalanche danger could also enter the high rating. Given the wind direction and speed we expect most slab development to occur on north facing aspects. If we see a shift to the west earlier than expected you should expect areas posted at Moderate to jump head first into the Considerable rating. Temperatures on the Summit are expected to reach their maximums this morning and then cool down again this afternoon which means the bulk of the mixed precipitation will be this morning. The varying precipitation types today will create all sorts of slab densities including high density slabs sitting over lower density snow that fell early. Today is a tricky day to be in avalanche terrain due to all the weather variables. We know that south winds will be very strong and transporting any available snow and frozen precipitation into lee areas. If you choose to venture into avalanche terrain today pair that information with your weather observations and an understanding of how the weather is affecting the snowpack. Expect increasing avalanche danger through the day.

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 thin cover and varying conditions. Expect bare ground, water ice, deep waterbars and some running water.

This Advisory is one tool to help you make your own decisions in avalanche terrain. It should be used along with safe travel techniques, snow stability assessments, an understanding of weather's effect on the snowpack, and proficiency in avalanche rescue. Anticipate changing avalanche danger when actual weather for the Advisory period differs from the NWS forecast and realize changing conditions and local variations may occur. Keep in mind that it’s impossible to accurately predict natural events, such as avalanches, in every instance.