Avalanche Canada unveils warning for majority of B.C and Alberta mountains

Avalanche Canada has issued a Special Public warning for BC and the western Alberta backcountry.

It applies to most of BC’s and Alberta’s forecast regions and is in effect starting today (Thursday) through to the end of Monday (March 3rd).

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.

The 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.

After a season of relatively stable avalanche conditions, a period of dramatic change is set to occur.

To manage these challenging conditions, it is essential that backcountry users choose conservative terrain and use good travel habits:

• Choose slopes less than 30 degrees in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain
• Maintain disciplined decision making and remember that 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 hazard

The danger rating in the Prince George-Northern Rockies region is moderate to considerable.