Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Dec 8 – 9, 2022Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 4 years ago

Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
3 · Considerable
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

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.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Southerly winds will continue to redistribute snow adding to the wind slab problem. watch for these wind slabs in exposed terrain at treeline and above.

    In the neighboring region surface hoar has been observed down 40 to 80cm and has produced rider triggered avalanches. This layer likely exists in this region as well. Use extra caution around treeline where the above mentioned wind slabs could overlie 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.

Regions covered