The White Mountains will be sandwiched between 2 weather systems to the south and north through Monday, but we should just feel a sweeping touch as they go by. Snow is expected to be very light totaling perhaps a half an inch. Light precipitation may return in the second half of the week but should also be light before a fair weekend sets in. The big news is temperatures. We are finally getting back to some seasonally normal air masses at the higher elevations. We will get below zero as we enter Tuesday morning and this should persist through the day as temperatures crawl into the singles. During the rest of the week it should warm up slightly, but cold conditions will assist ice growth. Previously wet conditions on the mountain should have water flowing at above average rates in many locations. If you are anxious to get out ice climbing be patient, the season will be upon us soon. Expect ice to form in trails and underfoot in numerous areas as snow cover is non-existent. This may make travel interesting by the weekend. We will continue with General Advisories for the foreseeable future although we still don't have much to discuss as far as avalanches are concerned. However from time to time we may be issuing General Advisories more frequently than once every three days as snow increases so check back often.

Winter is finally here so don't plan on being able to follow summer trails safely without the right equipment. Be ready for the conditions you'll face with appropriate 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.

Avalanche courses offered in the valley this winter are now on our website, tuckerman.org.