Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Mar 2 – 3, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
2 · Moderate
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Highlights

Rising temperatures and continued sun are increasing the avalanche danger.

Use caution around ridgetops and rollovers where triggering a wind slab is possible.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Recent snow has formed fresh wind slabs in open terrain and cross-loaded features, especially near ridgetops.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    Warmer temperatures and clear skies may trigger wet loose avalanches.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how the timing or intensity of solar radiation will affect the snowpack.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been reported.

If you are heading into the backcountry, please share any observations with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

10 to 20 cm of recent snow overlies wind-affected surfaces or old settling storm snow. Recent strong wind has scoured south-exposed slopes and alpine features.

There are a couple of layers of surface hoar/facets or a crust that may be buried 20 to 45 cm deep. These layers have not resulted in recent avalanches, but they may become active in isolated areas where a sufficient slab forms overtop.

The remainder of the snowpack is well consolidated.

Weather Summary

Sunday Night

Clear skies. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Monday

Sunny. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 2 °C. Freezing level 2500 m.

Tuesday

Mix of sun and clouds. 2 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 0 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 mm of precipitation as snow or rain at treeline. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid steep, sun-exposed slopes when the air temperature is warm or when solar radiation is strong.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Recent wind has varied in direction, so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.

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