Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Continued wind and light snowfall into the weekend will keep wind slabs as the main concern.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
We have not received any reports of avalanche the last few days.
Snowpack Summary
Moderate southwest wind is expected to continue to redistribute fresh snow, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Soft snow may prevail in terrain sheltered from the wind.
A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried 40 to 60 cm deep. This crust may have a weak layer of facets sitting above it.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud. 5-15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Monday
Mix of sun and cloud. 5-15 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- 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.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs may remain triggerable to riders. Assess for slabs in lee terrain features prior to committing.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of facets may exist above a hard melt-freeze crust that formed in early February.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1.5 - 2.5