Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Feb 23 – 24, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Continuously assess conditions and look for signs of instability as you move through terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Recent new snow has formed wind slab at higher elevations.

    At lower elevations this new snow could run as a wet loose avalanche as the freezing level rises.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2

    A crust from early February has produced avalanches in the region. This layer is problematic where facets overlie it.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were reported in the past couple days.

Snowpack Summary

Around 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. A new crust may be found on sun exposed terrain and all aspects below treeline.

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

Thursday Night

Mostly clear. 15 to 25 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -1°C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with up to 3 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of new snow. 25 to 40 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level rising to 1600 m.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 10 cm of new snow. 30 to 60 km/h southwest alpine wind. Freezing level around 1600 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.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.

Regions covered