South Okanagan

Watch for small, isolated pockets of wind slab at upper elevations.

High

• We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Throughout the week, small human-triggered wind slabs (generally less than size 1) have been observed in wind-affected terrain.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share your observations by posting a MIN.

Approximately 10 cm of snow accumulated over the past week now overlies a thick, supportive crust extending to mountaintops. At higher elevations, southwesterly winds have likely redistributed this recent snow in exposed terrain.

The remainder of the snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Friday Night
Partly cloudy. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 1 to 10 cm of snow. 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• A hard crust on the snow surface will help strengthen the snowpack, but may cause tough travel conditions.
• Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.