A surface hoar layer is buried by 40cm of settling snow and could become increasingly reactive. Take the time to evaluate the snowpack as you transition into avalanche terrain, pay attention to cracking and settlements in your surrounding area.
Summary
Weather Forecast
A ridge of high pressure will build throughout the day bringing sun but no snow. The winds will be from the North in the15-40km/hr range with an Alpine high of -17... bbrrr thats cold!! The clear skies and cold temps will continue over the weekend and into early next week. No snow in the forecast.
Snowpack Summary
50cm of settling snow sits on the Dec 15 surface hoar, persistent weak layer. On steeper solar aspects this layer is a crust and/or a crust with small surface hoar on top. The crust runs up into the alpine on steep south and west aspects. Deeper in the snowpack there are a series of crust layers that are currently bonding well.
Avalanche Summary
Numerous natural avalanches over the past few days up to sz 2.5 from steep terrain. The surface hoar layer at tree line and below will become increasingly reactive as the storm snow settles into more of a cohesive slab. Be aware of this when traveling in steeper, open areas or where a slab exists.
Confidence
Due to the number of field observations