Dashboard Regions Weather Stations Radar Alerts Glossary
Contact About
Log In

Register for an account and never miss a forecast again!

Register

Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2025–Dec 23rd, 2025

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

Human-triggered wind slab is the main concern.

Be careful around wind-loaded features, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.
  • Uncertainty is due to the speed, direction, or duration of the wind and its effect on the snowpack.

Avalanche Summary

This weekend, sluffing was observed throughout the region on steep, sheltered slopes where snow had not been affected by the wind.

Around Big White, explosive control work in alpine terrain produced several wind slabs (size 1.5) on north-to east-facing aspects. One persistent slab (size 2) that stepped down to the November crust was reported on Sunday.

Snowpack Summary

30 to 50 cm of recent snow overlies a prominent crust formed in mid-December that extends up to 2200 m. In open areas at treeline and above, this snow has been redistributed by southerly wind.

In the upper snowpack, several other crust layers may exist. In the mid-snowpack, a faceted crust from mid-November can be found.

The snowpack depth is around 100 cm, tapering with elevation below 1500 m.

Weather Summary

Monday Night
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Tuesday
A mix of sun and clouds. 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Wednesday
Mostly cloudy. 10 to 15 cm of snow. 50 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Thursday
Mostly cloudy. 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
  • Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.

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.