Avalanche Forecast

High

No new avalanches were reported in the region on Monday and Tuesday.

On Sunday, one large (size 2) wind slab and a few small ones were triggered with explosives near Kelowna.

A few small wind slabs and one large were reported on Saturday in the south of the region. Both rider-triggered and naturally occurring.

Strong southwest wind will likely redistribute any remaining loose snow from windward slopes on Thursday morning. 10 cm of snow from the weekend was already redistributed by northwesterly wind at treeline and above.

There is a thin rain crust below 1500 m that is buried around 30 cm deep. Some spots have small surface hoar crystals with this crust, but it hasn't produced any avalanches in the region.

A crust buried in early December is 50 to 85 cm deep. In some places there are weak facets above the crust, but it currently isn't a concern.

The mid and lower snowpack are generally strong and well-settled.

The snowpack is 100-150 cm deep at treeline.

Wednesday night

Partly cloudy. 30 to 60 km/h south ridgetop wind scouring out the above freezing layer lingering between 1500m to 1500 m.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with isolated flurries. 30 to 40 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h northwest wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday

Mainly sunny. 10 to 20 km/h northwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -12 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.