Purcells

-1 - -1

A weak Pacific system is expected to run into the ridge of high pressure on Monday afternoon that should cause some light flurries. Clearing skies are expected by early evening. The wind should change to north by Tuesday morning as more high pressure moves across the interior. Some remaining moisture may cause a brief period of flurries in the morning. Clear skies and strong solar radiation is expected during the afternoon on Tuesday, however northwest winds should help to keep alpine maximum temperatures close to -10.0 on shaded aspects. Temperatures should drop down to about -15.0 in the alpine by Wednesday morning. The ridge of high pressure is expected to continue to bring clear skies and light winds during the day Wednesday. Alpine temperatures may rise above freezing on solar aspects, but should remain slightly below freezing on shaded aspects.

No reports of new avalanches.

Widespread surface hoar has been buried by a trace of new snow in most of the region. A melt-freeze crust has developed on southerly aspects at all elevations. North and east aspects continue to have dry snow and some surface hoar sloughing in steep terrain. The January 13th surface hoar layer is buried about 40 cm below the surface, and may still be reactive in thinner snowpack areas. Basal facets have not been reactive, but operators continue to monitor this layer in tests. Triggering this deep persistent weak layer is unlikely, but shallow snowpack areas or shallow weak areas adjacent to deeper wind loaded slopes are suspect locations.