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By Liam Verster
Weather

Avalanche warning issued for Okanagan

Feb 27, 2025 | 3:24 PM

A widespread avalanche warning spanning across B.C., including in the Okanagan, was issued Thursday.

Avalanche Canada issued the Special Public Avalanche Warning on Feb. 27, stating the alert applied to most of B.C. and Alberta, including the Okanagan and Shuswap, and would remain in place until the end of day Monday, March 3.

“Prominent weak layers have developed in the upper snowpack, formed during periods of drought in January and February and buried between 30 and 100 centimetres deep,” Avalanche Canada said in the warning.

“These layers are made up of a variety of surfaces and may consist of surface hoar, faceted snow, or crusts. Overlying these layers, there is now a consolidated slab of snow, creating dangerous avalanche conditions.”

The agency stated the winter had seen relatively stable avalanche conditions, but the changing weather posed a higher risk of incidents.

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It added avalanches can be difficult to predict, and advised back country take steps to reduce the risk:

  • Recreate on slopes less that 30 degrees in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain
  • Maintain disciplined decision making and remember the danger may not be obvious
  • Avoid sun-exposed slopes during warm or sunny conditions
  • Move one at a time through avalanche terrain and regroup in safe spots without overhead hazards

People were also asked to check conditions at Avalanche Canada’s website before going into the back country.

As of Thursday, Feb. 27, the Okanagan region was ranked at Avalanche Level 3, or considerable, in the alpine section, but at Level 2, or moderate, in the tree line and below The alpine and tree line sections were forecasted to be at Level 3 Friday, but decline to Level 2 Saturday.

by Liam Verster
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