Avalanche warning for southern Interior this weekend
KAMLOOPS – An avalanche warning has been issued for a big chunk of the southern Interior today.
The Avalanche Canada warning for recreational backcountry users is in effect today, Feb. 19 through to Monday, Feb. 22.
The warning covers the North Columbia, South Columbia, the Purcells and Kootenay Boundary areas. This includes the area from Clearwater south to Osoyoos and east to the the Alberta border. There is also an avanchlance warning this weekend for Glacier National Park.
New snow in the region has caused unstable conditions, according to a media release from Avalanche Canada. Forecasting supervisor James Floyer says the new snow has covered a weaker layer underneath.
“Our concern is as the sun comes out this weekend, this weak layer will become more easily triggered. And with the amount of snow that’s on top of it we could be seeing some very large and dangerous avalanches,” Floyer says in the release. “We’ve seen this layer fail a number of times over the past few days, resulting in some close calls.”
Users are warned away from large slopes in the alpine areas and near the tree line.
Avalanche Canada says areas not usually accessed should be avoided, backcountry users should wear avalanche transceivers and make sure all their equipment is working.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Brendan Kergin at bkergin@infonews.ca or call 250-819-6089. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
