Purcells

Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain. If you receive less then 15 cm of new snow consider the danger ratings too high.

Moderate - Forecast snowfall amounts are uncertain

The next Pacific frontal system will reach the Interior tonight spreading moderate precipitation amounts through Wednesday. Average snow amounts range from 15-25 cm by Wednesday afternoon. Ridgetop winds will be moderate-strong from the SW, alpine temperatures -7 and dropping. A split flow in the jet stream will guide subsequent Pacific storms south of B.C. bringing mostly dry and unsettled weather Thursday and Friday. The next storm will move onshore sometime Saturday.

On Tuesday, reports indicated mostly sluffing up to size 1 from steeper terrain features.

Up to 10 cm of recent low density snow overlies a variety of weak surfaces including surface hoar and facets. Storm and wind slabs are expected to build with forecast snow on Wednesday. The upper snowpack is generally loose and unconsolidated due to the current lack of slab properties, however there is now up to 30 cm sitting on a mix of surface hoar, facets, and sun crusts that were buried January 4th. In parts of the Purcells, two prominent layers of buried surface hoar continue to be reactive with hard sudden collapse results in snowpack tests down 30-60 cm. The mid and lower snowpack is generally well settled and strong.