"AVO's website continues to be overwhelmed with traffic today ... ," said a posting on the site. "Staff are currently monitoring the volcano 24 hours a day. We will issue further information as it becomes available."

The latest report from AVO, posted at 2:35 p.m. Friday on their site and on the popular social networking site Twitter, said an observation flight had returned from Redoubt reporting "no sign of ash emission" but "significant steaming from a new melt depression at the mouth of the summit crater." Clouds had moved into the view of a Web cam situated at Redoubt's summit, obscuring its view at least temporarily.

An e-mail alert sent Friday to state employees by the Alaska Department of Administration advised workers in areas that might be affected by falling volcanic ash to stay close to radios and televisions in case of an eruption. The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the email, is responsible for responding to "events of this type" and would "mount a major response to a volcanic eruption," if necessary.

Redoubt last erupted in 1989.

For more information on the volcano's current status or what precautions you should take in the event of an eruption, visit www.avo.alaska.edu or www.twitter.com/alaska_avo.

Also on Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning fro the lower Kenai Peninsula south of Anchor Point, including the Homer area.

Predicting southwest winds ranging from 15 to 50 miles per hour, the blizzard warning was in effect until 6 p.m. "White out conditions" were likely late Friday afternoon, the warning said, and the NWS discouraged all travel and outdoor activity.

The blizzard warning and Redoubt rumblings would not put a halt to tonight's sporting events at Homer High School, however, said HHS Athletic Director Chris Perk.

"Come on, we need one Friday night game this year," said Perk, referring to two straight weekends of having basketball games cancelled due to bad weather. "The teams from Colony are here so we're playing. We're not quitters and we're not going to let a little snow keep us form a little friendly competition."

The Homer Lady Mariners are scheduled to kick off the action tonight at 7 p.m. followed by the boys at 8:45 p.m. Both varsity teams will match up against the Colony Knights.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaron.selbig@homernews.com.