Special avalanche warning issued for western Alberta, B.C.

Avalanche Canada has issued a special public warning for most forecast regions in British Columbia and western Alberta through the end of Monday.

The avalanche safety organization says a consolidated slab of snow has formed in the upper snowpack, which is creating dangerous avalanche conditions.

The snow is sitting between 30 and 100 centimetres above weak layers of surface hoar, faceted snow and crusts, among other materials that formed through drought conditions in January and February.

The special public warning is directed at skiers, hikers and others who venture into the mountains.

"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," the non-profit agency said in a release. 

"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."

Avalanche Canada forecaster Zoe Ryan says that because of the nature of avalanches, it can be difficult to predict when they will trigger.

"It is challenging to manage … it can be remotely triggered, from a distance away," Ryan said. "We're talking about large avalanches that certainly have the potential to injure or bury a person who's recreating in the backcountry."

With warm and clear weather expected in the region, avalanche risk may be worsened, she said. The only areas not under a special public avalanche warning are the Yukon, Vancouver Island, the British Columbia Coast and the Sunshine Coast, Ryan said.

The organization recommends backcountry travellers choose slopes less than 30 degrees in clearings, open trees and alpine terrain; avoid sun-exposed slopes during warm or sunny conditions; and move one at a time through avalanche terrain and regroup in safe spots without overhead hazards.

Two avalanche deaths have occurred this season, one near Golden, B.C. and another near Invermere, B.C.

For more information about the avalanche risk in Alberta and B.C., visit Avalanche Canada's website.