Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Mar 2 – 3, 2024Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Mon
Tue
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Continued wind and light snowfall into the weekend will keep wind slabs as the main concern.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–2

    Wind slabs may remain triggerable to riders. Assess for slabs in lee terrain features prior to committing.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely - Possible
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    A weak layer of facets may exist above a hard melt-freeze crust that formed in early February.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

We have not received any reports of avalanche the last few days.

Snowpack Summary

Moderate southwest wind is expected to continue to redistribute fresh snow, forming wind slabs in lee terrain features near ridges. Soft snow may prevail in terrain sheltered from the wind.

A thick and hard widespread crust that formed in early February is buried 40 to 60 cm deep. This crust may have a weak layer of facets sitting above it.

Weather Summary

Friday Night

Cloudy with isolated flurries. 20 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday

Cloudy with 2 to 5 cm of snow. 15 to 30 km/h southeast ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 800 m.

Sunday

Mix of sun and cloud. 5-15 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Monday

Mix of sun and cloud. 5-15 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

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.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.

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