South Okanagan

Rising temperatures and continued sun are increasing the avalanche danger.

Use caution around ridgetops and rollovers where triggering a wind slab is possible.

Moderate

• We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
• We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

No new avalanches have been reported.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected surfaces or old settling storm snow. Recent strong wind has scoured south-exposed slopes and alpine features.

There are a couple of layers of surface hoar/facets or a crust that may be buried 20 to 45 cm deep. These layers have not resulted in recent avalanches, but they may become active in isolated areas where a sufficient slab forms overtop.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated.

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Monday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
• Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.