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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 6th, 2022–Dec 7th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Southwest wind formed reactive wind slabs in the alpine and at treeline. At treeline elevations, slabs might sit on a buried weak layer. Be cautious when transitioning into wind affected terrain and investigate the bond of the new snow.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had very few field observations.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 25 cm new low-density snow covers up to 30 cm of older settling snow. Down 40-60 cm is a melt-freeze crust from mid-November. To the east, in the Columbia and Kootenay-Boundary forecast regions, a layer of surface hoar (on a crust) down 40-80 cm has been quite reactive with extensive reports of whumpfing and cracking, several skier-triggered and a few natural avalanches up to size 2. This layer is found within this forecast region, but we need more field observations to determine its extent and sensitivity. Snowpack depths exceed 100 cm at upper elevations.

Weather Summary

Tuesday night

Cloudy with a trace of new snow. Southwest wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline temperature low -10 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy with a trace of new snow. Southwest wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline high temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Mix of sun and cloud, with isolated flurries and up to 3 cm new snow. Southerly wind 50-60 km/h. Treeline high temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Mix of sun and cloud, with isolated flurries and up to 5 cm new snow. Southwest wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline high temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.