Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Seek out areas with soft powder snow on the surface.
Recent snow will be more likely to avalanche in terrain that has been affected by wind.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Thursday and Friday, several small explosive and rider triggered avalanches were reported in the recent snow in alpine and treeline terrain.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine terrain is wind-affected, while sheltered areas have settling snow from recent storms.
A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or crusts buried in early December is 50-70 cm deep. No avalanches have been reported on this layer since December 19 and it's possible that the recent mild temperatures helped it bond to the rest of the snowpack.
The lower snowpack is strong and settled south of Highway 1, and potentially weaker and more faceted north of Highway 1.
Treeline snow depths vary from 90-150 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.
Monday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Continued snowfall and moderate winds mean that wind slab avalanches are still possible. Alpine-like features at treeline that are cross-loaded will be a concern.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2