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Avalanche Forecast

Mar 8th, 2024–Mar 9th, 2024
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.

Minimize your exposure to large open slopes capable of producing large avalanches.

Uncertainty exists over the reactivity of buried weak layers.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Reports from this region have been limited, with a few small slab avalanches over the past week (size 1 to 1.5). However, neighboring regions have reported numerous large to very large natural and human-triggered persistent slab avalanches. Although not as large or likely in this region, triggering persistent slabs is still a concern.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions currently include sun crusts, wind-affected snow, and small amounts of settling snow

A widespread crust that formed in early February is buried roughly 40 to 90 cm deep, possibly with a weak layer of facets above it. In neighbouring regions, this layer has produced many large avalanches over the past week.

The snowpack below this crust is strong and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30-60 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing level drops to 800 m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with 0-2 cm of snow. 50-70 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C, freezing level around 1300 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with 2-5 cm of snow. Southwest winds ease over the day from 50 km/h to 20 km/h by afternoon. Freezing levels around 1500 m, treeline temperature -2 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries. 30-40 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Freezing levels around 1500 m, treeline temperature -2 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Choose slopes that are well supported and have limited consequence.
  • Persistent slabs have potential to pull back to lower angle terrain.
  • This avalanche problem is difficult to trigger but if so, consequences are serious.

Avalanche Problems

Persistent Slabs

A layer of facets on a crust is producing large and destructive avalanches across the province. In this region, it is buried 40-90 cm deep and potentially triggerable on steep slopes at treeline and above.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size: 2 - 2.5