Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Feb 21 – 22, 2024Avalanche Canada
View on map
Archived · expired 3 years ago

Avalanche danger

Fri
Sat
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
Open full map

Highlights

Continuously assess conditions and look for signs of instability as you move through terrain.

New snow amounts vary throughout the region and so do the surfaces it has fallen on.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible - Likely
    Size
    1–1.5

    Wind slabs may have formed over facets or surface hoar making them more reactive.

  • Persistent Slabs

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

    A crust from early February has produced avalanches in the region. This layer is problematic where facets overlie it.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the past week riders have triggered wind slabs up to size 2. Check out this MIN for a good example of one.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 10 cm of new snow has buried a variety of surfaces including surface hoar in sheltered terrain, a crust on south and west facing slopes as well as old wind slab on exposed terrain.

Another layer of surface hoar is down around 20 cm in sheltered areas.

The widespread crust buried in early February is down 30 to 50 cm and has sugary facets on top.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

A mix of cloud and clear skies with trace amounts of new snow. 5 to 20 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5°C.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud with trace amounts of new snow. 15 to 25 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1700 m.

Friday

Mostly sunny. 30 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Freezing level rising to 1800 m.

Saturday

Cloudy with trace amounts of new snow. 25 to 50 km/h west alpine wind. Freezing level around 1500 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully monitor the bond between the new snow and old surface.
  • Look for signs of instability: whumphing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, and recent avalanches.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

Regions covered