You'll want to be careful if you're heading out to the backcountry north or east of Prince George.
Avalanche Canada has issued a special public avalanche warning, effective immediately until the end of the day Sunday (Feb. 10).
The warning applies to the following regions:
- North Rockies
- Cariboos
- North and South Columbia
- Glacier National Park
- Purcells
- South Rockies
- Lizard Range
Avalanche Canada says the issue in the above regions is a weak layer at lower elevations, which means that the snowpack at and below the treeline is more dangerous than the alpine.
A release says forecasters are worried this situation, that is unusual, may catch backcountry goers off guard.
(via Avalanche Canada)They say many close-calls have already been reported over the last few days and predict with the weekend coming, more will be heading into the backcountry.
“With this layer, the trees are not the safe haven they normally are,” Senior Avalanche Forecaster Grant Helgeson says. “And identifying avalanche terrain in these lower elevations can be difficult. You need to be aware of smaller slopes like cutblocks, roadcuts, gullies or even just openings in the trees. This is where the weak layer will be a problem and where it’s primed for human-triggered avalanches.”
Avalanche Canada is reminding everyone in a backcountry party needs the essential rescue gear—transceiver, probe and shovel—and know how to use it.
Also check the current avalanche conditions at www.avalanche.ca.
