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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 5th, 2023–Dec 6th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.

Storm slabs may remain reactive on Wednesday.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We haven't received any reports of avalanche activity in this region but expect that the stormy conditions likely triggered many avalanches. Avalanche activity is likely to decrease as the freezing level drops, but human triggering may remain possible wherever the surface hoar layer described in the Snowpack Summary remains intact.

Snowpack Summary

Wednesday's snow will fall onto a wet snowpack from Monday and Tuesday's rain, which will slowly freeze into a hard melt-freeze crust. This stormy event loaded a feathery surface hoar layer buried about 10 to 20 cm beneath the wet snow.

The middle and base of the snowpack is generally weak and faceted.

Snowpack depths at treeline are approximately 50 to 70 cm. The snowpack tapers drastically with elevation below treeline.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Cloudy with trace snow or rain. Southwest alpine wind 20 to 40 km/h. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 2000 m dropping to 1500 m.

Wednesday

Cloudy with 10 to 20 cm of snow. Northwest alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with trace snow. Southwest alpine wind 10 km/h. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Friday

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm snow. West alpine wind 10 to 20 km/h. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Be aware of the potential for larger than expected storm slabs due to the presence of buried surface hoar.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

A weak layer of surface hoar is being loaded by snow and recent rain. This weak layer may remain reactive to human traffic wherever it remains intact, particularly at higher elevations where the snowpack is relatively smooth.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2