Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 21st, 2024 4:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Canada,
Avalanche Canada
Wind slabs may still be triggerable in open lee areas.
Stick to sheltered terrain for the best snow and safest conditions.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were reported on Friday or Saturday.
Numerous storm and wind slab avalanches were reported in the Okanagan on Wednesday and Thursday. Rider-triggered avalanches were small and explosive-triggered slabs were large, size 2 to 3.
Snowpack Summary
Alpine terrain is heavily wind-affected, while sheltered areas have 30 cm of settling snow from Wednesday's storm.
A mix of rain and sun crusts is present beneath the recent snow, with reports of isolated surface hoar at these depths in neighbouring regions. So far there hasn't been evidence that these layers are a long-term concern.
Treeline snow depths in the Okanagan region average 110 cm.
Weather Summary
Saturday Night
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1600 m.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1300 m.
Monday
A mix of sun and cloud with up to 5 cm of snow ending in the morning. 20 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -3 °C. Freezing level 1400 m.
Tuesday
Cloudy with 5 to 10 cm of snow in the south. 40 to 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Wind slabs are suspected to be stabilizing but there isn't a lot of info to go off. Individually assess slopes for wind slabs and avoid them if you're finding hollow sounds or shooting cracks.
Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 22nd, 2024 4:00PM
