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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 28th, 2024–Dec 29th, 2024

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.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Seek out areas with soft powder snow on the surface.

Recent snow will be more likely to avalanche in terrain that has been affected by wind.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Thursday and Friday, several small explosive and rider triggered avalanches were reported in the recent snow in alpine and treeline terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine terrain is wind-affected, while sheltered areas have settling snow from recent storms.

A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or crusts buried in early December is 50-70 cm deep. No avalanches have been reported on this layer since December 19 and it's possible that the recent mild temperatures helped it bond to the rest of the snowpack.

The lower snowpack is strong and settled south of Highway 1, and potentially weaker and more faceted north of Highway 1.

Treeline snow depths vary from 90-150 cm.

Weather Summary

Saturday Night

Cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Sunday

Mostly cloudy with up to 2 cm of snow. Light variable ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Monday

Mostly cloudy with light flurries. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny. 5 to 10 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Make observations and continually assess conditions as you travel.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.

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.