With clear skies and cold temperatures, the surface snow on the north side of the compass begins to become weak and faceted and generally lose cohesion (see Mark White video below). In the short term, this means you can buy a soft turn here or there, but in the long term it becomes a very real sliding surface for future avalanches whenever we see the next significant storms. At this point, the snow surfaces are quite variable, but it will be something to keep an eye on in the coming days (or weeks).

For the layperson, remember that ingredients for an avalanche often involve strong cohesive snow sitting above weak, sugary snow. Sugary faceted (angular) snow below.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.