Special public avalanche warning for BC’s South Coast and Vancouver Island

Avalanche Canada has issued a Special Public Avalanche Warning for backcountry users in BC’s South Coast region and Vancouver Island. The warning is in effect immediately until the end of the day Sunday, Feb 24.

Backcountry users in the regions covered by this warning are being urged to use safe travel techniques and avoid avalanche terrain. For a map of the area covered by the warning, click here.

Everyone in a backcountry party needs the essential rescue gear—transceiver, probe and shovel—and know how to use it. Always check the current avalanche conditions at www.avalanche.ca.

In a statement, Avalanche Canada said at issue is a weak layer in the snowpack that is currently buried about 50 cm deep. The next storm forecast for Friday is expected to bring another 10 – 15 cm of snow, before clearing for the weekend. The weak layer will remain fairly easy to trigger and with the added snow on top, the resulting avalanches could be deadly.

“We do not expect the snow to stabilize after the storm, which is unusual for the coastal mountains,” explains James Floyer, Warning Program Supervisor for Avalanche Canada. “Human-triggered avalanches will be likely over the weekend, especially on steeper terrain. The clearing skies and fresh snow will be very inviting but we are urging backcountry users to be extra cautious during this period.”

Snowpack tests were conducted on Feb 20 as part of the investigation into the recent fatal avalanche on Runner Peak.