Avalanche Forecast

Recent storm snow was reactive to explosive control work, producing avalanches up to size 1.5 east of Kelowna on Saturday.

Numerous large to very large natural and human triggered persistent slab avalanches continue to be reported in neighboring regions. Some have run full path to valley bottoms. Many of the human triggered avalanches have been reported as remotely triggered (from a distance). This speaks to the sensitivity of the persistent slab problem.

A variety of surfaces can be found including a dusting of new snow, sun crust on south aspects and wind effect in the alpine.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried about 40 to 70 cm deep. This crust may have a layer of facets above it. In neighboring regions, this layer has been producing many large and concerning avalanches over the past week.

The snowpack below this crust is generally well-settled and strong.

Sunday night

Up to 5 cm of new snow. 10 to 30 km/h south alpine wind.  Treeline temperature -6°C.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature  -8°C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 10 to 30 km/h northwest alpine wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Wednesday

Sunny. <20 km/h northwest alpine 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.
• If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
• Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
• Remote triggering is a concern, watch out for adjacent and overhead slopes.