Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Recent snow and wind are creating an avalanche problem that should be easy to avoid.
Back off of steep slopes if you see signs of instability like shooting cracks or recent avalanches.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find wind slabs on leeward slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Recent snowfall varies across the region. 20-40 cm of settling snow sits on small surface hoar or a thin crust in specific terrain.
A crust buried in early December is 50 to 85 cm deep. In some places there are weak facets above the crust, but it is not a current avalanche problem.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well settled.
The snowpack is 100-150 cm deep at treeline.
Weather Summary
Friday Night
Mostly cloudy with up to 12 cm in the south half of the forecast area. 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Saturday
Cloudy with 1 to 6 cm of snow (highest amounts in the south half of the forecast area). 40 to 60 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 35 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
Mostly sunny. 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion above 1500 m. Treeline temperature -3 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
A small amount of new snow and moderate wind may build small, reactive wind slabs below ridgelines and in cross-loaded features.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2