Special public avalanche warning issued for BC

PRINCE GEORGE — Outdoor enthusiasts beware as Avalanche Canada, in partnership with Parks Canada, Alberta Parks, and the Province of British Columbia, has issued a special public avalanche warning for recreational backcountry users across most forecast regions in British Columbia and Alberta. This special warning will remain in Place until Monday, March 3.

Avalanche Canada says a cohesive slab of snow 30 to 100 centimetres thick sits over a variety of prominent weak layers in the upper snowpack that formed during dry periods in January and February. It also notes that it has created a reactive avalanche problem leading to serious incidents and close calls.

“We’ve been tracking these weak layers closely over this past month,” says Avalanche Canada Avalanche Forecaster Zoe Ryan. “Now that the snow on top of them has consolidated, it’s a recipe for dangerous avalanches. These highly problematic layers remain primed for human triggering.”

“We know backcountry users are eager to enjoy the snow,” adds Ryan, “but this is a tricky avalanche problem. The snowpack is going to take time to strengthen. Good travel habits and selecting conservative terrain will be critical because getting caught in one of these avalanches could be deadly.”