South Okanagan

Light snowfall is continuing to build the wind slab problem at upper elevations.

These thin slabs may be found farther downslope than usual due to strong winds.

Moderate

• We are uncertain due to the variability of wind effect on the snowpack.

On Monday, isolated pockets of wind slabs were reactive to skier's traffic in open lee terrain and near ridgelines on Mount Tod, next to Sun Peaks.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

10 to 15 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected surfaces or old settling storm snow. Recent strong wind has scoured south-exposed slopes and alpine features.

There are a couple of layers of surface hoar/facets or a crust that may be buried 20 to 45 cm deep. These layers have been mostly dormant, but they may become active in isolated areas where a sufficient slab forms overtop.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy. 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday

Cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Friday

Mostly cloudy. 3 to 5 cm of snow. 50 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Strong wind is building wind slabs farther downslope than usual.