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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 5th, 2022–Dec 6th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Strong northwest wind at upper elevations will form reactive wind slabs, especially where it sits on weak feathery surface hoar. Pay attention to the wind 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. Down 40-60 cm is a melt-freeze crust from mid-November. To the east, in 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, several skier triggered and a few natural avalanches up to size 2. This layer is 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

Monday night

Cloudy with up to 5 cm low-density snow. Northwest wind 20 km/h around treeline and up to 50 km/h at upper elevations. Treeline low temperature -14 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy and cold, with isolated flurries, up to 5 cm low-density snow. Northwest wind 20-30 km/h around treeline and up to 50 km/h at upper elevations. Treeline high temperature -9 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy and cold, with isolated flurries. Southwest wind 20-30 km/h. Treeline high temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Mostly cloudy with isolated flurries and up to 5 cm low-density snow. Southwest wind 50-60 km/h. Treeline high temperature -8 °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.
  • 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.