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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 7th, 2022–Dec 8th, 2022

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

Look for signs of instability like natural avalanches, "whumphing" and shooting cracks. New wind slabs will likely form throughout the day. At treeline these slabs could form over touchy surfaces like crusts and surface hoar.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in this region. However, note that we have had very few field observations. Please consider filling out a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 30cm of recent low-density snow Is likely to be redistributed by incoming southerly winds.

Down 40-60 cm is a melt-freeze crust from mid-November. To the east, in the Columbia and Kootenay-Boundary forecast regions, a layer of surface hoar (on a crust) down 40-80 cm has been quite reactive with extensive reports of whumpfing and cracking, several skier-triggered and a few natural avalanches up to size 2 were reported. This layer is found within this forecast region, but we need more field observations to determine its extent and sensitivity. Snowpack depths exceed 100 cm at upper elevations.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Cloudy with a trace of new snow expected. Moderate to strong south wind . Low of -15 at 1800m.

Thursday

Flurries bringing up to 5cm of new snow. Moderate southerly winds with a high of -10 at 1800m.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow possible. Light southerly winds with a high of -11 at 1800m.

Saturday

Mostly cloudy with flurries bringing trace amounts of new snow. Light southerly winds and a high of -6 at 1800m.

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.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Potential for wide propagation exists, fresh slabs may rest on surface hoar, facets and/or crust.

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.