8:57 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2004

 Tuckerman Ravine will have MODERATE and CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger
 today. The Little Headwall and the Lower Snowfields have Moderate
 avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are unlikely and human triggered
 avalanches are possible. Unstable slabs are possible on steep slopes.


 Use caution in steeper terrain. All other forecast areas will have
 Considerable avalanche danger. Natural avalanches are possible and
 human triggered avalanches are probable. Unstable slabs are probable
 on steep terrain. Be increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.



 Huntington Ravine will have CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger today.


 Natural avalanches are possible and human triggered avalanches are
 probable. Unstable slabs are probable in steep terrain. Be
 increasingly cautious in steeper terrain.



 The summit received another 18cm (7.1in) of 3.1% density snow over the
 past 24 hours. This brings the 2 day total to 27cm (10.7in) with an
 average snow density of 2.6%!! This has all come in with light winds
 with a brief period up to 65kph (40mph) last night. These winds moved
 some snow demonstrated by visible areas of wind effect above S and SE
 aspects. Small cornicing can be seen over the Duchess, Left Gully, the
 Chute, and between the Sluice and Right-Right Gully where a very small
 slab fracture line is visible. In Huntington the northern gullies
 received some light loading as well with evidence of a slab avalanche
 occuring near the top of Yale gully. These areas of wind effect and
 small fracture lines are good evidence that last night's winds were
 enough to form enough cohesiveness for slab formation.



 What this all comes down to is a blanket of 30-45 cm of light powder
 on Mt. Wahington with some isolated areas of very light slab, mostly
 found on S and SE aspects. HOWEVER, WE EXPECT THIS ALL TO CHANGE AS
 THE DAY CONTINUES. WINDS ARE BEGINNING TO PICK UP AND ARE EXPECTED TO
 MOVE FROM THE NW TO THE SW AND INCREASE. GUSTING BETWEEN 85-90KPH
 (55MPH) IS EXPECTED BY AFTERNOON. THIS SHOULD CHANGE THIS BLUE SKY
 POWDER MORNING TO OBSCURED VISIBILITY AND A QUICKLY INCREASING
 AVALANCHE DANGER. EXPECT THE EXTREMELY LIGHT DENSITY SNOW TO BE
 TRANSPORTED EASILY INTO LEE AREAS IN BOTH RAVINES. THE DANGER RATINGS
 FOR THE DAY ARE ANTICIPATED TO REACH THIER POSTINGS BY MIDAFTERNOON.


 THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR SOME AREAS TO BE AT THE UPPER END OF THEIR
 RATING APPROACHING THE NEXT STEP ON THE SCALE BY LATE TODAY. IN
 ADDITION TO THESE INCREASED WINDS SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE
 AFTERNOON BRINGING APPROXIMATELY 10CM (4 IN) OF HIGHER DENSITY SNOW
 INTO EARLY TOMORROW MORNING. BOTH WIND TRANSPORTED SNOW AND NEW SNOW
 FALL WILL LOAD ON VERY LIGHT DENSITY UNCONSOLIDATED LOOSE SNOW IN MOST
 AREAS. EXPECT ANY SLAB FORMATION TO BE QUITE UNSTABLE OVER THIS WEAK
 LAYER. All this hinges upon what the "forecasted" winds actually do
 today. If they come short or exceed expectations this will alter snow
 transport significantly so keep a close eye on what happens today, be
 conservative, and be ready to change your plans.



 The John Sherburne ski trail has areas of new powder over mostly hard
 pack conditions. The cover has been improving rapidly, but realize
 there are covered land mines such as rocks, turf, and water ice under
 the new snow. Be prepared for these hidden hazards and sudden changes
 particularly on the lower half of the trail.



 The Lion Head winter route is open. This is a steep and challenging
 route. Ice axe, crampons, and the skill to use them well are necessary
 for safe travel. Remember, it is always easier to go up than come
 down.



 AS ALWAYS, THIS ADVISORY IS ONE MORE TOOL TO HELP YOU MAKE YOUR OWN
 DECISIONS IN AVALANCHE TERRAIN. It should be used along with your own
 snow stability assessments, knowledge of safe travel techniques, skill
 in reading mountain weather's effect on the snowpack, and avalanche
 rescue.



 PLEASE REMEMBER:

 o ****Any new precipitation may increase the avalanche danger, this
 includes wind transported snow.



 ****Obtain the latest weather forecast before
 starting out.


 ****For more information, contact any of the following:
 U.S. Forest Service Snow Rangers, AMC at the Pinkham
 Notch Visitor Center, AMC at the Hermit Lake Shelters,
 HMC at the Harvard Cabin.


 ****This avalanche advisory will expire at midnight.****
 Christopher Joosen, Snow Ranger
 USDA Forest Service
 White Mountain National Forest