Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Clearwater, North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Until cold temperatures lock in this warm and wet snowpack, dangerous avalanche conditions and poor riding quality will exist.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Several wet loose and wet slabs up to size 2 have been reported in the region. These avalanches were reported from 2000 m.
Snowpack Summary
Wet snow exists in the upper snowpack to mountain top.
A layer of facets formed during the mid January cold snap sits 30-50 cm deep. Another weak layer consisting of a crust and facets is down 50 to 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy with light rain expected, south alpine wind 20km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.
Wednesday
Mostly cloudy with light rain/snow expected, southwest alpine wind 15 to 20 km/h, freezing level around 2000 m.
Thursday
Cloudy with light rain/rain possible, southeast alpine wind km/h, freezing level rising to 1900 m.
Friday
Mostly cloudy, southeast alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h, freezing level rising to 1900 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Keep in mind that wet avalanches can be destructive due to their high density.
Avalanche Problems
Wet Slabs
Wet slab and wet loose avalanches are likely when the upper snowpack is saturated from rain and elevated freezing levels. They may be stepping down to buried weak layers in the mid and lower snowpack resulting in very large avalanches.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5