Avalanche forecast

South Okanagan

Dec 19 – 20, 2025Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sun
Mon
Alpine
2 · Moderate
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Be careful as you transition into wind-affected terrain. If triggered, wind slabs may slide easily on an underlying crust.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    If triggered, wind slabs may slide easily on an underlying crust. Look for fresh wind slabs building in leeward terrain features at upper elevations.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the limited number of field observations.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been reported since Wednesday when several small human-triggered wind slab and storm slab avalanches were observed, running on the crust.

Snowpack Summary

Up to 40 cm of recent storm snow is being redistributed by southwest winds, forming fresh wind slabs over a crust that extends up to 2200 m.

A faceted crust from mid November can be found in the lower snowpack but is not currently a concern.

Weather Summary

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Saturday
Mostly cloudy. 1 cm of snow. 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Sunday
Mostly cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. 40 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday
Mix of sun and clouds. 2 to 10 cm of snow. 50 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Keep in mind a buried crust offers an excellent bed surface for avalanches.
  • Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.

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