Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Avoid north-facing, alpine slopes where triggering persistent weak layers is most likely.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
On Monday, near Kamloops, a natural size 2 glide slab avalanche was reported on a southwest-facing slope at 1500 m.
On Saturday, a rider triggered size 2, persistent slab avalanche was reported. This avalanche occurred on a west facing slope at 2000 m. See MIN for details.
Snowpack Summary
5 to 15 cm of snow covers a melt-freeze crust. The crust exists on all aspects, except possibly high-elevation north-facing slopes. This overlies 30 to 60 cm of snow that sits above a crust in many areas, or surface hoar/facets in wind-sheltered areas.
A weak layer, buried in late January, consists of surface hoar/facets or a crust is found down 50 to 90 cm. This remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.
Weather Summary
Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level reaching 1600 m.
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. 10 to 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1800 m.
Saturday
A mix of sun and cloud. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present in the snowpack.
- Keep in mind that human triggering may persist as natural avalanches taper off.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
Avalanche Problems
Persistent Slabs
A weak layer of crust and/or facets is buried 30 to 60 cm deep. Recent avalanches on this layer suggest it remains a concern, especially on northerly slopes where a melt-freeze crust is absent beneath the new snow.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Storm Slabs
New snow and wind may have built slabs on lee features.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2
Loose Wet
If the sun comes out, it may trigger wet loose avalanches from steep slopes facing the sun.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5