Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
The incoming storm is driving the avalanche danger.
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Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
New storm slabs will form on Friday and Saturday. Human-triggered avalanches will be likely on most steep slopes and natural avalanches are possible on wind-loaded slopes.
Snowpack Summary
Flurries on Saturday will bring the storm totals to 15 to 25 cm, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. The new snow will likely bond poorly to the old snow surfaces, which includes melt-freeze crusts on sun-exposed slopes, large surface hoar or facets on shaded slopes, and wind-affected snow in exposed terrain at ridgelines.
The lower snowpack is strong and bonded. Treeline snow depths average 100 to 150 cm.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 30 to 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with 1 to 4 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
Sunday
Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy. 10 km/h north ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -14 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
- Dial back your terrain choices if you are seeing more than 20 cm of new snow.
- Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to buried surface hoar.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
The new snow will bond poorly to underlying layers, with deeper slabs expected on northeast aspects due to wind loading.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2