Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Mar 1 – 2, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

The persistent slab may become more reactive with any additional loading (from wind, snow, or a person). The best way to manage this problem is to stick to conservative terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs may remain triggerable to riders. Assess for slabs in lee terrain features prior to committing.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A weak layer of facets may exist above a hard melt-freeze crust that formed in early February. Humans could trigger this layer, or smaller avalanches could step down and form large avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We have not received any reports of avalanche the last few days.

Looking forward, it remains possible that riders could trigger wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate southwest wind is expected to continue to redistribute fresh snow, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Soft snow may prevail in terrain sheltered from the wind.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried 40 to 60 cm deep. This crust may have a weak layer of facets sitting above it.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night

Cloudy with flurries, up to 10 cm snow. 15 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -9 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

Friday

Cloudy with scattered flurries and isolated sunny breaks. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud and isolated flurries. 15 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 900 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 5-15 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C. Freezing level dropping to valley bottom.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

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