Avalanche Forecast
Regions: North Okanagan, Shuswap, South Okanagan.
Up to 15 cm low-density snow is expected in the south of the region throughout the day Tuesday. If the wind picks up, fresh wind slabs may form.
This week's cold temperatures and short days can turn even small incidents like broken equipment into a very bad time. Bring lots of warm layers, hot drinks and a headlamp when venturing out.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No avalanches have been reported in this area recently.
If you venture into the backcountry, please submit a MIN report, as it helps to strengthen our data gathering.
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack depths at upper elevations are around 80-110 cm.
Surface: 5-10 cm of recent snow buried previously hard wind-pressed surfaces in the alpine and faceting surfaces in sheltered areas.
Upper-pack: 30 cm of light snow continues to facet with cold temperatures. In exposed areas, you will find a series of old wind slabs and crusts on steep solar slopes.
Mid/lower-pack: A layer of surface hoar, crust, and faceted crystals is buried 50-70 cm deep. Observations are limited in this region, but this layer has produced numerous large avalanches in neighbouring regions. Below this layer, the snowpack is generally weak and faceted.
Weather Summary
Monday Night
Mix of clouds and clear periods, trace of new snow, light variable wind, temperature low around -23 °C.
Tuesday
Mainly cloudy south of Salmon Arm and sunny in the north of the region, 5-15 cm low-density snow in the south of the region and dry in the north, 30 km/h southerly wind, temperature high around -20 °C.
Wednesday
Mainly sunny, trace of new snow, 30 km/h northeast wind, temperature high around -25 °C.
Thursday
Sunny, 20 km/h southeast wind, temperature high around -25 °C.
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
- Use ridges or ribs to avoid areas of wind loaded snow.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Up to 15 cm low-density snow is expected throughout the day on Tuesday in the southern part of the region. If the wind picks up it will form fresh wind slabs in lee areas near ridge crests and roll-overs.
Recent winds have pressed surfaces and scoured the alpine. Watch for pockets of isolated wind slabs that are reactive to human triggering. Seek out wind-sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 1.5