South Okanagan

If the sun comes out and the wind is calm, expect avalanche danger to rise rapidly.

Avoid being on or underneath slopes in the sun. High north slopes may hold dry snow.

On Monday, a few small storm slabs and wet loose avalanches were triggered with explosives near Vernon.

On the weekend, there were numerous small storm slabs triggered by riders.

As temperatures rise, wet avalanches are expected to occur and cornices may fall, especially when the sun comes out.

As temperatures rise to above mountain top, the recent snow (around 40 cm) is expected to become moist and wet.

Otherwise, a melt-freeze crust is 40 to 70 cm deep from early march. Below that, two weak layers of surface hoar and/or faceted grains associated with crusts from late-January and mid-February may be found 70 to 120 cm deep.

The mid and lower snowpack is well-settled and strong.

Tuesday Night

Cloudy. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2800 m.

Wednesday

A mix of sun and cloud, with 2 mm of rain in the afternoon. 10 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 6 °C. Freezing level 3000 m.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with 5 to 15 cm/mm of snow or rain. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level falling to 1800 m by noon.

Friday

Mostly cloudy with 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southeast ridgetop winds. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Avoid sun-exposed slopes, especially if the snow surface is moist or wet.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.