Next week's deep snowpack structure?

If the forecasting gods have their way, it looks like they've ordered up a spell of beautiful weather just after last week's paucity of precipitation. When that happens, I tend to start dreaming of bluebird skies and wide open stable slopes. With this year's snowpack, however, I'm tempted to believe that more caution's warranted than I might otherwise have when gliding out of the thick trees and into the open.

With full understanding that asking for sage advice on an internet message board can sometimes be as reliable as asking a moose for an accurate and detailed analysis of intertribal interactions in the upper Amazon Basin, I ask (particularly of older folk on the forum):

How concerned are you, at this time, about the deeper structures within our snowpack? If your concern is elevated, what are you adding to your decision-making process?

Being that my expertise is not considerable...  I would refer you to the Avalanche Forecast at:
www.nwac.us/products/SABSEA

What I picked up is that avalanche danger is considerable, consolidatiion is taking place. This will be a week of wind loading... creating wind slabs. 

....Be sure to watch for blowing snow or firm wind
transported snow if you are in the back country on
Monday. A classic example of such a slope is the west
side of Panorama Point above Paradise.....

I'm well aware of the dangers that appear at and near the surface - my experience is, however, much much less with watching deep weak layers evolve. It's really the December 3 and Christmas crusts that I'm interested in, along with their associated faceting and nearby surface hoar layers.

While it may be a beautiful, sunny week it may not be a particularly good week in terms of improving snow stability. Due to the cold temperatures being forecasted it's possible that significant temperature gradients within the snowpack may lead to the formation of faceted snow.

Seems like it'd be wise to dig a pit if you are going to do anything on an avy prone slope. Remember that temperature gradients within the snow may vary a lot based on aspect and elevation so pick a representative spot(s).

I don't normally use a thermometer when doing pit tests, but I may try it this week to see what effect the colder than normal temps will have.

I'm fairly concerned given some of the deeper slabs that have occured earlier this year, and I'm approaching the steeper slopes with extra caution.  I'm tending to do what I can to avoid them and ride the mellower slopes (<30 degrees).  I know staying in the trees isn't necessarily safe, but the steeper slopes I've been riding have been in the thicker trees, with better anchoring.  My route finding has changed a bit, as I look for alternate ways to get to where I'm going (i.e. - not crossing large exposed slopes if possible).  One thing I started doing this year is reading the NWAC avalanche report with my coffee each morning.  This gives me a better feel for the overall season snowpack and how it's behaving (as opposed to just reading a report before I head out).

The December crusts have been easy to identify in the snowpits I've dug here in Oregon, and they seem stable with most of the snowpit tests.  However, just knowing they are there and what's gone on earlier in the season keeps me on edge.  In general it's harder to trigger a deep slab, but when it slides the consequences are not good.   As greenrider alluded to, I noticed some diurnal recrystallization of the snow along with formation of surface hoar yesterday while out on a tour.  The projected sunny weather will continue this process, and with future loading, this layer may likely be a weak point to watch out for.

One thing I started doing this year is reading the NWAC avalanche report with my coffee each morning.  This gives me a better feel for the overall season snowpack and how it's behaving (as opposed to just reading a report before I head out).

Right on - that's really the only way to keep up with the always changing snowpack. Thanks for mentioning that. It's a good habit [just like morning coffee].