Avalanche Canada Warns that the Warmer Weather Can Trigger an Unstable Snowpack

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Credit: Avalanche Canada

Avalanche experts in Canada are reminding backcountry travelers to stay alert despite the warmer weather, as sunny skies can be one of the triggers that set off an unstable snowpack, reports CBC.

โ€œIt warms up every spring so itโ€™s kind of a given. The difference is whatโ€™s warming up,โ€ said Canmore avalanche protection consultant Chris Stethem.

He added that there are three big factors at play: sun, temperature, and precipitation.

โ€œThose spring avalanches can be fairly ferocious, sizeable events,โ€ he said.

Stethem said a so-called โ€œalpine startโ€ โ€” heading out early in the day while temperatures are still cool can be one way to stay safe. But itโ€™s not foolproof.

โ€œIf you get out to the mountains on a Saturday morning and itโ€™s been warm all night, Friday night, then youโ€™d better make it a pretty modest objective,โ€ he said.

He recommended users avoid steep terrain after snow storms, keep an eye on features like cornices and snow slabs, and carry avalanche safety gear. The main thing, though, is to be both mindful and adaptable.

Avalanche Canada plans to issue its last avalanche forecast for the season later this week.


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