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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 26th, 2025–Feb 27th, 2025

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

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Start with mellow terrain, and test how the recent snow is bonding before committing to steeper or larger features.Forecast warm temperatures and sun may weaken the snowpack.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Tuesday and Monday, explosives avalanche control in different parts of the region produced several small to large (up to size 2) avalanches in east and southeast facing alpine and treeline terrain. They all failed on a layer of facets buried by the recent storm.

If you head into the backcountry please consider submitting a MIN post.

Snowpack Summary

A surface crust or moist snow may be found at lower elevations and on sun-affected slopes. Otherwise, 30 to 60 cm of accumulated settling storm snow sits over a thin crust on sun-exposed slopes and surface hoar or facets in wind-sheltered areas. The highest storm snow amounts fell in southern parts of the region, and the lowest in the north. A weak layer buried in late January consisting of surface hoar and facets or a crust, is buried 50 to 90 cm and remains a lingering concern. Below this, the mid and lower snowpack is generally settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy. 30 to 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature low -2 °C. Possible temperature inversion in the alpine.

Thursday

A mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 3 °C. Freezing level rising to 2400 m.

Friday

Sunny. 5 to 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 4 °C. Possible temperature inversion with below freezing air in valleys. Alpine freezing level 2500 m.

Saturday

Sunny. 25 to 35 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature 5 °C. Possible temperature inversion with below freezing air in valleys. Alpine freezing level 2900 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Start with simple terrain and gather information before committing to bigger features.
  • The more the snowpack warms up and weakens, the more conservative your terrain selection should be.
  • Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.

Problems

Storm Slabs

Storm Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer (a slab) of new snow that breaks within new snow or on the old snow surface. Storm-slabs typically last between a few hours and few days (following snowfall). Storm-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.

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.