Gale Force Winds and Blowing Snow

We did a ski tour today in Deep Creek.  Temperature inversions were in place this morning with cold temperatures at the trailhead and warmer temperatures as we moved into higher elevations.  SW winds were increasing in speed throughout the day with more wind scouring found in open below treeline terrain than what we have seen over the past week.  We were able to find the buried surface hoar layer at multiple locations in this area down 3 to 4'' below the surface.  Hand pits and tilt tests showed this layer to be unreactive at this time, although we suspect that this layer will become reactive with the large loading event tonight and through Sunday.  Cornices were forming and wind slabs were building today with 3 to 6'' of firm and dense wind slabs being formed in near treeline areas on northerly aspects.  We opted to avoid most of the wind slab and wind scoured areas and enjoyed the softer snow in protected terrain.