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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 13th, 2022–Dec 14th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.

Avoid freshly wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crest, rollovers, and in steep terrain.

Watch for reverse and cross-loaded areas as northerly winds pick up Wednesday and wind slabs become more widespread.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Monday, a MIN from the Sun Peaks area reported a size 1 skier accidental avalanche in sparse trees. The slab consists of the recent wind-affected storm snow and looked to be 30 cm deep.

On Sunday explosives control triggered several size 1.5 wind slab avalanches on east slopes in the alpine. Avalanches released above a weak layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals.

Please submit a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry!

Snowpack Summary

20 - 30 cm of snow has been redistributed by southwest winds and has formed soft wind slabs in lees at higher elevations. As winds switch to the north watch for reverse loading and cross-loading in the surface slab. On south-facing slopes this snow sits on a sun crust and in sheltered terrain, it sits over a layer of weak surface hoar.

Buried 40 to 60cm deep, a layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals is a layer of concern. Observations are limited in this region but this layer has already produced avalanches in the neighboring regions.

Snowpack depths at upper treeline is around 80 - 100 cm.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mainly cloudy with isolated flurries, 2 cm accumulation. Northerly ridge wind 40 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, low of -10. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Wednesday

Sunny with cloudy periods. Northerly ridge wind 40 - 60 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -8. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Thursday

Partly cloudy skies. Northwesterly ridge winds 40 - 60 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -8. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Friday

Partly cloudy skies. Northwesterly ridge winds 40 - 60 km/hr. Alpine temperatures, high of -6. Freezing levels valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

20-30 cm of snow and varied wind directions have built winds on all aspects. Seek out wind-sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible

Expected Size: 1 - 2