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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 3rd, 2022–Dec 4th, 2022

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, 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.

Very few field reports for this forecast region, and a reactive layer of surface hoar in forecast regions to the east. Choose conservative terrain and investigate the bond of the new snow.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had very few field observations.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30 cm of low-density snow covers older more settled snow. Southwest winds have left wind slabs at upper elevations. Down 40-60 cm is a melt-freeze crust from the middle of November. To the east, to the Columbia and Kootenay-Boundary Forecast regions, a layer of surface hoar (on a crust) down 40-70 cm has been quite reactive with extensive reports of whumpfing and cracking. This layer is likely found within this forecast region, but we need more field observations to determine its extent and sensitivity. Snowpack depths exceed 100 cm at upper elevations.

Weather Summary

Saturday night

Mostly clear. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature low -12 °C, possible overnight inversion.

Sunday

Sunny and cold, possible inversion. Light northeast wind. Treeline temperature high -5 °C,

Monday

Clear, cold, and calm. Increasing northwest wind, treeline high temperatures -10 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy and cold with isolated flurries. Northwest wind 20-40 km/hr. Treeline high temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.

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.