Be careful while traveling the backcountry, as an avalanche warning has been issued for BC and Western Alberta.
Avalanche Canada issued the Special Public Avalanche Warning on Thursday, saying there is a consolidated slab of snow overlying weak layers, creating dangerous avalanche conditions for most forecast regions for the two provinces.
Drought periods in January and February have led to these weak layers being developed in the upper snowpack, buried between 30 and 100 centimeters deep. The layers may be made up of surface hoar, faceted snow, or crusts.
Avalanche Canada says we are entering a period of dramatic change after a season of stable avalanche conditions.
“Avalanche problems of this nature can be difficult to predict and there may be limited clues about deeper snowpack instabilities, but avalanches triggered on these layers are likely to be dangerous and destructive,” said Avalanche Canada.
With the warning in effect, Avalanche offers tips for you to stay safe while traveling.
They recommend choosing conservative terrain, choosing slopes less than 30 degrees in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain, keeping disciplined decision-making, remembering that the danger might not be obvious, avoiding any sun-exposed slopes in warm or sunny conditions, to move one at a time through avalanche terrain and regroup in safe spots.
The warning will be in effect until the end of Monday, March 3.
