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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 15th, 2022–Dec 16th, 2022

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

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Northerly winds may reverse-load features. Watch for fresh slabs around ridges and lee features.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Wednesday, two size 1 slab avalanches were triggered by skiers.

On Monday, a MIN from the Sun Peaks area reported a size 1 skier accidental avalanche in sparse trees. The slab consists of the recent wind-affected storm snow and looked to be 30 cm deep.

Please submit a Mountain Information Network report if you are heading to the backcountry!

Snowpack Summary

20-30 cm of recent snow has been redistributed by southwest winds at higher elevations. Forecasted northerly winds may reverse-load features and build fresh slabs. Now down 20-30 cm, this recent snow covers a crust on solar slopes and a layer of weak surface hoar in more shaded terrain.

Buried 40-60 cm deep, a layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals is a layer of concern. Observations are limited in this region but this layer has already produced avalanches in the neighbouring regions.

Snowpack depths at upper elevations are around 80-100 cm.

Weather Summary

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy and increasing winds. Northwest ridgetop winds 20-30 km/h. Overnight alpine low temperature -12 C. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Friday

Clear skies with cloud cover increasing later in the day. Northwesterly ridge winds 15-30 km/h. Alpine high temperature -6 C.

Saturday

Cloudy skies and isolated flurries, trace accumulation. Northeasterly ridge winds 15-30 km/hr.  Alpine temperatures, high of -6. Freezing levels valley bottom.

Sunday

Cloudy skies. Light flurries, up to 5 cm. Northwest ridge winds 20 km/h.  Alpine high temperature -14 C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.

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.