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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 23rd, 2024–Dec 24th, 2024

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Watch for reactivity in wind affected features. Small amounts of snowfall bring potential for small but reactive slabs to form.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Saturday a size 1 naturally triggered wind slab was reported, and explosive control on Sunday produced size 1 avalanches. Reactivity is expected to linger in specific, wind loaded features. but the expected size remains small.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine terrain is heavily wind-affected, while sheltered areas have around 30-50 cm of settling snow from recent storms.

A mix of rain and sun crusts exist beneath the recent snow with facets surrounding the crusts. Neighbouring regions have reported surface hoar at these interfaces and avalanches on this layer, but no observations suggest it is an issue in this region.

Treeline snow depths vary from 50-120 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy with flurries. 20 to 40 km/h southerly ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C. Freezing level 1000 m.

Tuesday

Cloudy with up to 5 cm of snow. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C.

Wednesday

Clear start with increasing afternoon cloud. 30 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Thursday

Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow, favouring the Kelowna area. 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °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.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.

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.