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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 12th, 2024–Mar 13th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.
Below Treeline
Natural and human triggered avalanches likely.

Regions

Clearwater, South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Danger ratings have dropped but continue to assess conditions as you travel.

Expect to find small wind slabs near ridgelines.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No recent avalanches have been reported.

If you are getting out in the backcountry, consider making a post on the MIN (Mountain Information Network). You can share riding conditions, avalanche or snowpack observations, or even just a photo or two.

Snowpack Summary

Surface conditions include sun crusts on south facing slopes, wind-affected snow in exposed areas at higher elevations, and small amounts of settling snow in sheltered terrain.

A widespread crust is buried 40-90 cm deep, in some areas a weak layer of facets can be found above. However recent tests suggest this layer is gaining strength and avalanche activity is currently unlikely. No recent avalanche activity has been reported on this layer in this region.

The snowpack below this crust is strong and well bonded.

Weather Summary

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow possible. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels around 1000 m, treeline temperature -5 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. Moderate northwest ridgetop wind shifting to light west in the afternoon. Freezing levels around 1500 m, treeline temperature -2 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. Light southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing levels spike to 2500 m, treeline temperature 2 °C.

Friday

Mostly sunny. Light to moderate northwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level around 3000 m, treeline temperature 5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and assess conditions continually as you travel.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Avoid freshly wind loaded terrain features.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.