Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Warm temperatures and sun may weaken the snowpack, making weak layers easier to trigger.
Use extra caution during the warmest parts of the day.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Wednesday: Explosive control east of Penticton produced several avalanches sized 1 to 2. Some were small wind slabs but the larger avalanches failed on a persistent weak layer of facets over a crust up to 60 cm deep.
Tuesday & Monday: Explosive control in different parts of the region produced several small to large (up to size 2) avalanches in east and southeast facing alpine and treeline terrain. They all failed on a layer of facets or crust buried by the recent storm.
Snowpack Summary
A surface crust or moist snow may be found at lower elevations and on sun-affected slopes. Otherwise, 30 to 60 cm of accumulated settling storm snow sits over a crust in many areas or surface hoar / facets in some wind-sheltered areas. The highest storm snow amounts fell in southern parts of the region, and the lowest in the north. A weak layer buried in late January consisting of surface hoar and facets or a crust, is buried 50 to 90 cm and remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy. 5 to 15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low -2 °C. Below freezing air in the valleys, alpine freezing level around 2300 m.
Friday
Partly cloudy, then sunny in the afternoon. 5 to 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level around 2200 m.
Saturday
Sunny. 15 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +4 °C. Freezing level around 2900 m.
Sunday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 10 km/h variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature +3 °C. Freezing level around 2200 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Start with simple terrain and gather information before committing to bigger features.
- The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of consisting of a crust and/or facets is buried 30 to 60 cm. Recent avalanches on this layer indicate it remains poorly bonded.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Wind Slabs
Recent southwesterly winds built wind slabs on leeward northerly and easterly slopes. If triggered, wind slabs may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
Wet loose avalanches will become more likely as daytime warming and sun melt the upper snowpack.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5