Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Feb 2 – 3, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Tue
Wed
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Conservative terrain selection is essential. Avalanches are likely due to continued snow and wind.

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Avalanche problems

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2

    The new snow will bond poorly to underlying layers, with deeper slabs expected on northeast aspects due to wind loading.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Reports during the stormy period have been limited.

New storm slabs will form on Saturday and Sunday. Human-triggered avalanches will be likely on most steep slopes and natural avalanches are possible on wind-loaded slopes.

Snowpack Summary

Snow on Sunday will bring the storm totals up to 20 to 30 cm, with deeper deposits in wind-loaded areas. The new snow will not bond well 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

Saturday Night

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of new snow. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with 0 to 1 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -10 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with 0 to 2 cm of snow. 10 to 20 km/h east ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy with a trace of new snow. 10 km/h east 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.

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