South Okanagan

Recent snow and wind are creating an avalanche problem that should be easy to avoid.

Back off of steep slopes if you see signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

On Thursday, east of Kelowna, explosive avalanche control produced only very small wind slab avalanches.

Observations in this region are limited. If you head into the backcountry, submit a MIN report to let us know what you see.

Expect to find wind slabs on leeward slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Recent snowfall varies across the region. 20-40 cm of settling snow sits on small surface hoar or a thin crust in specific terrain.

A crust buried in early December is 50 to 85 cm deep. In some places there are weak facets above the crust, but it is not a current avalanche problem.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well settled.

The snowpack is 100-150 cm deep at treeline.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 12 cm in the south half of the forecast area. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow (highest amounts in the south half of the forecast area). 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Monday

Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.