Huntington Ravine will have Low, Moderate and Considerable avalanche danger today. Central, and O'Dell's will have Considerable danger. Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable in steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain. South, Pinnacle, and Yale gullies have Moderate avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible in steep terrain. Use caution in steeper terrain. Damnation and North currently have Low avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are very unlikely and human triggered avalanches are unlikely except in isolated pockets. Normal caution is advised.

Yesterday was the calm before the ... well.. storm might be exaggerating a bit, but mountain snow showers and very cold temperatures will return. It was quite a day to be out in the mountains as the summit wind speeds hovered between 5-10mph (8-16kph) for almost 30 hours. It feels a bit strange to be in the winter alpine environs and have calm conditions. Although extremely pleasant something seems to be missing. This lack of wind is the primary factor for the quick upswing in the avalanche danger today. The 1.7" (4.3cm) of low density snow that fell into Tuesday morning and blanketed the mountain with perfectly intact pristine crystals has begun to move this morning. Winds have ramped up and are currently blowing from the WNW at 40-50mph (65-80kph). Velocities will increase through the day and are expected to reach the 70mph (112kph) mark this afternoon. This snow in addition to last night's .8" (2cm) and snow showers forecasted today bringing another +/- 1.0" (2.5cm) will elevate snow instability. Adding all totals result in about 3.5" (9cm) available for transport today. Soft slab will develop first and then increase in density as winds accelerate. This should result in an inverted snowpack with hard slabs over the weaker unconsolidated snow and soft slab below. Watch new snow totals closely today as upslope energy drive new snow showers for the mountains. Cold temperatures can and have squeezed several inches out of what appears to be meager amounts of moisture. An additional inch or so will push us to almost 5 low-density inches available for transport. It's a day to be very aware of the situation developing around you. As we said yesterday don't bet the farm on limited information and take in new data all day long. The number one concern will be SE and E aspects in Tuckerman. Examples include under the Headwall ice, the Lip, the Sluice, and Right Gully. Huntington will also see increase avalanche danger with the focus being on Central and O'Dell's with Pinnacle and South gully not far behind. Expect the potential for each forecast area to be on the upper end of their definition nudging to the next depending on new snow totals today. The loading that will likely happen today is the kind that can sneak up on you. The snow sitting on the ground above treeline might as well be falling from the sky with the forecasted showers, because the result will be the same, loading in the Ravines.

The Lion Head Summer Trail is still open. The Summer Trail crosses an avalanche prone slope that has not developed as of yet. The Winter Route is not built for travel without adequate snow cover, so although we are in winter, please help keep the Winter Route in good shape by using the Summer Trail.