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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2025–Mar 17th, 2025

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

Manage your terrain choices during period of sun and warming temperatures.

Expect the chance of triggering an avalanche to increase on solar aspects.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On Friday near Kelowna, explosive control triggered 2 large (size 2) wind slab avalanches. These avalanche crown depths where near 30 cm and just below the ridge crest. On Thursday near both Kelowna and Vernon, explosive avalanche control triggered numerous small to large (size 1-2) storm slab avalanches. Continue treating the new snow with caution, especially in areas with more than 20 cm of accumulation.

Snowpack Summary

Between 15 to 40 cm of snow accumulated Thursday, combined with sustained southwest wind. Up to 60 cm of snow has accumulated over the last 7 days. All this snow sits on a hard melt-freeze crust.

A couple weak layers of surface hoar and/or faceted grains associated with a crust from late January and mid February may be found 80 to 100 cm deep.

The mid and lower snowpack is well settled and strong.

Weather Summary

Sunday night

Cloudy. 20 to 40 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -6 °C.

Monday

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 30 km/h southwesy ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -4 °C.

Tuesday

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C.

Wednesday

Mix of sun and cloud. 20 to 30 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -5 °C.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Even brief periods of direct sun could produce natural avalanches.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Investigate the bond of the recent snow before committing to your line.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.

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.