South Okanagan

The snowpack is cooling and strengthening, but wet avalanches remain possible on steep slopes.

Small (size 1) wet loose avalanches were observed across the Okanagan on Tuesday and Wednesday. A more widespread natural avalanche cycle likely occurred, but its full extent is uncertain due to limited observations.

Avalanche activity is expected to subside with the cooling trend.

Convective flurries could bring 5 to 15 cm of dry snow, though distribution and timing will be highly variable. This new snow will land on a wet, rain-soaked upper snowpack, forming a crust at higher elevations. Recent weather has likely strengthened and bonded the lower snowpack, with the most notable feature being a 40 to 70 cm deep crust from early March.

Thursday Night

Cloudy with 1 to 3 cm of snow above 1700 m, rain below. 10 km/h south ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

Friday

Cloudy with 0 to 5 cm of snow. 20 km/h southwest ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Saturday

Mix of sun and cloud and 1 to 2 cm of snow. 20 km/h west ridgetop wind. Treeline temperature -2 °C. Freezing level 1500 m.

Sunday

Sunny. Calm. Treeline temperature -1 °C. Freezing level 1700 m.

More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.

• Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
• Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.