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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 18th, 2025–Dec 19th, 2025

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

Wind slabs will continue to build at upper elevations.

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

Confidence

High

  • The number, quality, or consistency of field observations is good, and supports our confidence.

Avalanche Summary

Several small human triggered wind slab and storm slab avalanches were reported on Wednesday.

We expect this trend to continue with a refresh of new snow and strong winds.

Snowpack Summary

Recent storm snow is being redistributed by strong southwest winds, forming fresh wind slabs over a crust that developed earlier in the week and can be found up to 2200 m.

A mid-November crust with sugary, faceted snow above it persists in the snowpack but appears to be improving, particularly in areas where a strong surface crust is present.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Thursday
Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

Friday
Mix of sun and clouds. 4 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 3 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °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.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

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.