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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 13th, 2023–Dec 14th, 2023

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

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Flurries through the day Thursday combined with moderate to strong winds will promote wind slab formation. The north of the region will likely see more snow than the south.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A few size 1 explosives triggered wind slab avalanches were reported on Monday.

If you go out in the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Moderate to strong southwest winds have likely redistributed 15-35 cm of recent snow that sits on a hard melt-freeze crust. A surface hoar layer may be found beneath the crust.

The middle and base of the snowpack may still be moist from the rain last week. Sugary facets near the base of the snowpack may still exist where the rain did not penetrate through.

Snowpack depths at treeline are approximately 50 to 80 cm. The snowpack tapers drastically below treeline.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Mostly overcast. Flurries with 2-5 cm accumulation. Moderate southwest and west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -7°C

Thursday

Mainly cloudy. Light snow with 2-7 cm accumulation. Moderate to strong southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature around -5°C.

Friday

Mainly cloudy. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6°C.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud. Moderate southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°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.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

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.