Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Continuously assess conditions and look for signs of instability as you move through terrain.
New snow amounts vary throughout the region and so do the surfaces it has fallen on.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Over the past week riders have triggered wind slabs up to size 2. Check out this MIN for a good example of one.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 10 cm of new snow has buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered terrain, a crust on south and west facing slopes as well as old wind slab on exposed terrain.
Another layer of surface hoar is down around 20 cm in sheltered areas.
The widespread crust buried in early February is down 30 to 50 cm and has sugary facets on top.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
A mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of new snow. 5 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.
Friday
Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.
Saturday
Cloudy with trace amounts of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level around 1500 m.
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.
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A crust from early February has produced avalanches in the region. This layer is problematic where facets overlie it.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may have formed over facets or surface hoar making them more reactive.
Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5