Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Mar 19 – 20, 2026Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
1 · Low
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Continuously verify conditions through the day.

Use your observations combined with smart travel habits to avoid places where isolated avalanche problems could exist in the terrain.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

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

    Anywhere where dry surface snow can be found, southwest winds may still be forming reactive wind slabs.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    1.5–2.5

    Large avalanches could be triggered from thin spots or with a large load, like a cornice fall. This problem may have run its course, but we'll continue to monitor it until temperatures drop.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about how quickly persistent slabs are gaining strength.
  • We are uncertain due to a limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, numerous small (size 1), wet loose avalanches were reported across the forecast area.

On Tuesday, sluffing and pinwheeling was reported with no new avalanches.

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow is saturated on all aspects and elevations. The recent snow along with the whole snowpack is settling rapidly and getting shallower.

A widespread crust buried earlier in March can be found down 70 cm. Layers of facets, crust, and surface hoar from February and January can be found just below this crust.

The remainder of the snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Thursday Night
Cloudy. 2 to 4 mm of rain at treeline. 25-50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Friday
Cloudy. 2 mm of rain at treeline. 35-60 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level 2300 m.

Saturday
Mix of sun and clouds. 3 to 4 cm of snow. 30 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday
Mostly sunny. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are isolated, but may remain reactive.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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