Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Look for soft snow in sheltered terrain. Watch for reactive pockets around ridgelines and steep rolls as you move into more exposed and alpine-like terrain.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the weekend, several small rider- and explosives-triggered avalanches were reported in the recent snow in alpine and treeline terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine terrain is wind-affected, while sheltered areas have settling snow from recent storms.
A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or crusts buried in early December is 50-70 cm deep. No avalanches have been reported on this layer since December 19 and it's possible that the recent mild temperatures helped it bond to the rest of the snowpack.
The lower snowpack is strong and settled south of Highway 1, and potentially weaker and more faceted north of Highway 1.
Treeline snow depths vary from 90-150 cm.
Weather Summary
Monday night
Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Cloudy with sunny breaks. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Thursday
Mostly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for reactive pockets around ridgecrest and steep rolls. Consider cross-loaded slopes as you move into more exposed and alpine-like features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5