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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 30th, 2024–Dec 31st, 2024

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

Regions

South Okanagan, Shuswap, North Okanagan.

Look for soft snow in sheltered terrain. Watch for reactive pockets around ridgelines and steep rolls as you move into more exposed and alpine-like terrain.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Over the weekend, several small rider- and explosives-triggered avalanches were reported in the recent snow in alpine and treeline terrain.

Snowpack Summary

Alpine terrain is wind-affected, while sheltered areas have settling snow from recent storms.

A layer of facets, surface hoar, and/or crusts buried in early December is 50-70 cm deep. No avalanches have been reported on this layer since December 19 and it's possible that the recent mild temperatures helped it bond to the rest of the snowpack.

The lower snowpack is strong and settled south of Highway 1, and potentially weaker and more faceted north of Highway 1.

Treeline snow depths vary from 90-150 cm.

Weather Summary

Monday night

Mostly cloudy. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -7 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with sunny breaks. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. 5 to 15 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °C.

Thursday

Mostly sunny. 15 to 25 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -8 °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.
  • Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks, or recent avalanches.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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.