Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Wind slabs at upper elevations may be reactive to rider triggering.
Rising freezing levels and brief periods of sun could trigger wet loose avalanches.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche reports received Tuesday.
Wind slabs may exist and be reactivce to rider triggering on north through east facing slopes just below ridgetop. With rising freezing levels, expect conditions to change rapidly, and natural wet loose avalanches or wet slabs are possible at treeline and below.
Snowpack Summary
Up to 20 cm of new snow may exist above 1600 m. This sits above a supportive crust that overlies wet snow. At elevations below 1500 m, the snowpack is isothermal to ground.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear with some cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level falling to 1300 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with snow starting in the afternoon 5 to 10 cm. 50 to 70 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2500 m. Freezing level dropping to 1200 m overnight.
Friday
Mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
Mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries up to 5 cm. 15 gusting to 45 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.
- Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with aspect and elevation.
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may exist at upper elevations on north through east aspects and could be reactive to rider triggering.
Aspects: North, North East, East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Rising freezing levels could initiate natural wet loose and possibly wet slab avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5