Special public avalanche warning in effect for much of B.C., Alberta backcountry
A special public avalanche warning is in effect for a swath of British Columbia and western Alberta's backcountry, warning of dangerous conditions possible between Thursday, February 27, 2025 through to Monday, March 3, 2025.
A snow slab 30-100 cm thick is sitting on weak snowpack layers, elevating the avalanche risk, Avalanche Canada said on social media.
A Special Public Avalanche Warning is in effect for most forecast regions across BC and Alberta until March 3. A cohesive slab of snow 30 - 100 cm thick is sitting over weak layers in the snowpack and causing dangerous avalanche conditions. Learn more at https://t.co/164ZogRPt9 pic.twitter.com/NM4TJfIPxv
— Avalanche Canada (@avalancheca) February 27, 2025
"After a season of relatively stable avalanche conditions, we are entering a period of dramatic change and it is important to adapt mindsets to reflect this," reads a statement on the foundation's website.
"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."
Backcountry users are advised to use extreme caution while the warning is in effect.
Graphic by Cheryl Santa Maria for The Weather Network. Source: Avalanche Canada.
Precautions include:
Only using slopes that are 30 degrees and situated in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain.
Exercising extreme caution, as instability may be hard to detect.
Avoiding sun-exposed slopes.
Moving through avalanche terrain one person at a time, only re-grouping in open areas with no overhead hazards.
Checking forecasts regularly before heading out.
Bringing appropriate equipment, including a transceiver, probe, and shovel, and know how to use them.
Header image: File photo via Canva Pro.
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