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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2022–Dec 24th, 2022

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

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

New snow may not bond well to the old surface. Assess for slabs prior to committing to steep terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No avalanches were reported on Thursday. Looking forward, riders could trigger wind slabs in steep terrain features in wind-exposed terrain.

Please consider submitting a MIN report if you head into the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Around 10 to 20 cm of new snow and southwest wind are likely forming wind slabs in lee terrain features at higher elevations. Soft snow prevails in sheltered terrain, which may not bond well to previous surfaces of sugary faceted grains and small surface hoar crystals.

The majority of the snowpack is faceted, with roughly 100 cm found at treeline.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 1 to 3 cm, 20 to 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -9 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 5 to 10 cm, 40 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -5 °C.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud with isolated snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 20 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperatures -3 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with snowfall, accumulation 2 to 5 cm, 40 to 60 km/h southwest wind, treeline temperature -2 °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.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.

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.