I'm beginning to believe "Rain Ranger" is a more appropriate job title as the steady accumlations of liquid precipitation continue. Another 1.44" (3.65cm) in the past 24 hours brings the week totals to 4" (10cm). Couple with this are balmy banana belt temperatures. As I type at 5:30am it is 61.5 degrees at 1600ft and 48 on the summit of Washington. These warm temperatures and rain have certainly pushed the reset button as the mountain looks more barren everyday. Well I hope the one more day of wet weather will put the liquid form behind us as we anticipate dropping temperatures into the weekend. Before this occurs some locations may need to endure another 1-2 inches (2.5-5cm) of rain today forcing the NWS to issue a flood watch for the area. A band of thunderstorms moving through our region may try to slap us one last time before the dry air moves into the mountains. A cold flow will stream in tonight bringing the summits into the mid 20's for the overnight and Saturday.

Due to the week of rain and warm temperatures settling the snowpack around the mountain the chance for the rain to trigger avalanches is remote. However always stay aware of how past, current, and future forecasted weather and precipitation amounts may be affecting the snowpack. After cold air moves in the existing saturated snowpack will begin the process of freezing solid, aka "lockup". What will be left are hockey rinks pitched at 40 degrees which may provide an excellent sliding surface for future snowfall. Once the fog finally lifts we may be able to see what we have left for snowfields so stay tuned for new advisories discussing how new snow will affect these locations.

The other major concern associated with the warm and rainy forecast is the increased potential for icefall to occur. Most ice has already come down over the past week, but some potential still exists. Many folks have been injured and killed by falling ice so pay attention to where you are, and don't linger under ice. Have a plan in mind concerning what you will do and where you will go if ice comes down. If you are anxious to get out climbing early season ice, my advice is to be patient. Remember that the underlying rock will still be warm from a week of warm rain so give any new ice some time to attach securely when it begins to reform.

Although it has felt like spring recently winter can come in like a freight train this time of the year. Realize we are in early winter so don't plan on being able to follow summer trails safely. Many trails going through ravines and gulfs are buried with snow and require winter gear, i.e. winter clothes, ice axe, crampons, avalanche beacons, shovels, and probes.

Don't wait any longer to refresh your avalanche skills. Pull out your beacon, install some fresh high quality alkaline batteries, and practice. Review your safe travel rules, techniques for assessing snow stability, and sign up for an avalanche course. We will soon have all the avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter on our website, tuckerman.org.