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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 10th, 2022–Dec 11th, 2022

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

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Wind loaded features continue to be the primary concern. Watch for dense pockets of snow around ridgelines, slabs may sit over a weak layer.

Head to sheltered areas for the best riding conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had very few field observations. Please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Recent new snow has been redistributed by southwest winds forming wind slab. On south facing slopes this new snow has fallen on a sun crust and in sheltered terrain it sits over a layer of weak surface hoar.

Buried 30 to 50cm deep, a layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals is a layer of concern. Observations are limited in this region but this layer has already produced avalanches in the neighboring regions.

Snowpack depths at upper treeline are generally less than a meter.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 5cm of new snow. Easing southerly winds. Freezing level below valley bottom.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy. Flurries in the morning bringing trace amounts of new snow and then clearing in the afternoon. Alpine high of -6. Light easterly winds.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with the possibility of light flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Alpine high of -9. Light easterly winds.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy. No snow expected. Alpine high of -9. Light easterly winds.

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.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been wind-affected.

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.