Huntington Ravine also has LOW, MODERATE, and CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger. Damnation and North Gullies have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised. The Escape Hatch and Yale have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Use caution in steeper terrain. South, O'Dells, Pinnacle, and Central Gullies have Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.

The Summit picked up 3.7" (9.4cm) of new snow in the past 24 hours with SW winds going W very early this morning. Wind speeds have been fairly consistent gusting in the 40-45mph (65-72kph) range since midnight. Down in the Ravines we picked up 5.5" (14cm) and are anticipating another 1-2" (2.5-5cm) through the day for all elevations. Winds should stay W until later this afternoon when it will move to the SW between 3 and 6pm. Winds speeds should diminish later this morning to 35-40mph (55-65kph) and then 25-30mph (40-48kph) just after noon. Loading of new snow into the Ravines will in turn also decrease substantially as winds move from 45 to 25mph. However until that occurs we will have seen about 12 hours of W winds with ideal velocities to load soft slab in generally E facing aspects. The other significant challenge slabs will face is their reaction to increasing temperatures and perhaps some light rain. That's right, rain. Models have had a hard time with temperatures over the last couple of days. Today may be no exception. Here at Hermit Lake we have gone from 28F(-2C) to 36.5F (2.5C) in the past 2 hours and it's currently drizzling. This should put most of our start zones right around freezing which means they could see some very light rain as well. Rain on new soft slab certainly does not help stability, but should not substantially affect today's ratings. Any avalanche activity today has the potential to step down into hard slabs in Tuckerman Ravine. Although slabs in the Tuckerman have been stabilizing over the last 2 days they still have the potential to generate a sizable avalanche given enough load. A skier would likely not have been enough to produce this, but new natural avalanches would. In Huntington most new snow is loading on the old icy surface in many areas and will likely not bond well. Tuckerman and Huntington are much different avalanche animals today however each species has the potential to produce natural avalanches. With all that is affecting our start zones today I think it's an excellent day to have your avalanche senses on high alert!

The old icy surface still presents a concern for travelers who may need to stop a sliding fall. On steep terrain the new snow may not offer enough resistance if you fall. Self-arrest may still be VERY difficult. Be ready with crampons, an ice axe and solid technique if you plan on traveling on the upper parts of the mountain today.

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. 5" of new snow is covering slush, dirt, long sections of water ice, deep waterbars and water channels that can grab a ski tip very quickly. So be prepared for new snow to disguise some of these hazards.