Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Mar 8 – 9, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low

Highlights

Avoid steep north-facing, alpine slopes where triggering a persistent weak layer is most likely.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1–2.5

    This is a low-probability, high-consequence situation. Choose conservative terrain, avoiding terrain traps.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported since Monday when a natural size 2 glide slab avalanche was reported near Kamloops on a southwest-facing slope at 1500 m.

Snowpack Summary

5 to 10 cm of snow covers a melt-freeze crust. The crust exists on all aspects, except possibly high-elevation north-facing slopes. This overlies 30 to 60 cm of snow that sits above a crust in many areas, or surface hoar/facets in wind-sheltered areas.

A weak layer, buried in late January, consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust and is found 50 to 90 cm deep. This remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1100 m.

Saturday

Cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Sunday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.

Monday

A mix of sun and cloud with 5 to 10 cm overnight. 20 to 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C. Freezing level 1200 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
  • Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
  • Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.

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