Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Watch for small wind slabs at ridge tops.
Travel one at a time through avalanche terrain.
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
A few small wind slabs and one large were reported on Saturday in the south of the region. Both rider-triggered and naturally occurring.
Snowpack Summary
Expect to find wind slabs on leeward slopes in the alpine and at treeline. Recent snowfall varies across the region with the most in the south. 10 to 15 cm of settling snow sits on small surface hoar or a thin rain crust below 1500 m.
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 currently a concern.
The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.
The snowpack is 100-150 cm deep at treeline.
Weather Summary
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy then clear. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.
Monday
A mix of sun and clouds. 20 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Possible temperature inversion. Treeline temperature -1 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
- Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.