Recreational backcountry users should be aware of an expanded avalanche warning that has been issued on Saturday for southern BC and western Alberta.
The special warning that was issued Thursday, Jan. 20 now includes the South Rockies and Lizard Range regions.
The special warning will be in effect until the end of Monday, Jan. 24.
The warning applies to north and south Columbias, Purcells, Kootenay Boundary, south Rockies, Lizard-Flathead and Glacier, Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks.
The warning extends to the south coast as well, impacting an area between Squamish and Pemberton.
The special public avalanche warning has been updated and now also includes the South Rockies and Lizard-Flathead regions. Read the full warning 👇https://t.co/Jt6pNba471 pic.twitter.com/TP2XviEs5g
— Avalanche Canada (@avalancheca) January 21, 2022
Warmer temperatures are expected over the weekend which will destabilize current snow packs
“There are persistent weak layers in the mountain snowpack across most of southern BC and western Alberta,” explains James Floyer, forecasting program supervisor for Avalanche Canada.
“This special warning targets regions where these layers have proven to be an issue. The combination of this snowpack structure and higher temperatures will make natural and human-triggered avalanches much more likely.”
Avalanche Canada claims that there have been a number of close calls reported recently and people heading out to the backcountry are reminded to check the Avalanche Canada website for forecasts in their areas.
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