Special Public Avalanche Warning for Mountains of Southern BC and Western Alberta

SPAW In effectSouth Columbia

Date Issued
Monday, January 24, 2022
Valid Until
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Prepared by
dsaly

Avalanche activity is decreasing, but a complex snowpack presents a low probability, high consequence scenario. A tricky snowpack is best managed with conservative terrain selection.

AlpineTreelineBelow Treeline2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Alpine
2 - Moderate
Treeline
2 - Moderate
Below Treeline
1 - Low
Alpine
2 - Moderate
Treeline
2 - Moderate
Below Treeline
1 - Low

Travel and Terrain Advice

  • Pay attention to the wind, once it starts to blow fresh sensitive wind slabs are likely to form.
  • Avoid thin areas like rock outcroppings where you're most likely to trigger avalanches failing on deep weak layers.
  • The trees are not the safe-haven they normally are. Terrain at and below treeline is capable of producing large destructive avalanches.
  • Uncertainty is best managed through conservative terrain choices at this time.
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Read the Sunday, January 23, 2022 avalanche forecast
Danger Ratings Explained

1 - Low

Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches unlikely.

Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

2 - Moderate

Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

Natural avalanches unlikely; human-triggered avalanches possible.

Small avalanches in specific areas; or large avalanches in isolated areas.

3 - Considerable

Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

Natural avalanches possible; human-triggered avalanches likely.

Small avalanches in many areas; or large avalanches in specific areas; or very large avalanches in isolated areas.

4 - High

Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Travel in avalanche terrain not recommended.

Natural avalanches likely; human-triggered avalanches very likely.

Large avalanches in many areas; or very large avalanches in specific areas.

5 - Extreme

Avoid all avalanche terrain.

Natural and human-triggered avalanches certain.

Large to very large avalanches in many areas.

Avalanche Forecasts in your Inbox

Avalanche Canada has switched to an RSS feed for its daily forecasts. This is a much more flexible method that allows automatic delivery to your email inbox, or to an RSS reader of your choice.

What are RSS feeds?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a popular standardized file format allowing up-to-date delivery of web-based content. RSS feeds enable you to receive content updates from websites, delivered to your email through an RSS aggregator (such as blogtrottr.com) or viewed through applications called RSS readers (such as feedly.com).

Set up an RSS feed for your email:

Once you have chosen your favourite RSS aggregator:

  1. Copy the URL of the forecast you interested in and paste it into the appropriate field of your RSS aggregator, a list is provided below.
  2. Fill in your email address.
  3. Voilà! Watch the Avalanche Canada forecast roll into your inbox.

List of avalanche forecast RSS feeds

  • Cariboos — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/cariboos.rss
  • Kananaskis Country, Alberta Parks — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/kananaskis.rss
  • Kootenay Boundary — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/kootenay-boundary.rss
  • Lizard Range and Flathead — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/lizard-range.rss
  • North Columbia — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/north-columbia.rss
  • North Rockies — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/north-rockies.rss
  • Northwest Coastal — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/northwest-coastal.rss
  • Northwest Inland — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/northwest-inland.rss
  • Purcells — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/purcells.rss
  • Sea To Sky — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/sea-to-sky.rss
  • South Coast — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-coast.rss
  • South Coast Inland — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-coast-inland.rss
  • South Columbia — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-columbia.rss
  • South Rockies — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/south-rockies.rss
  • Yukon — https://avalanche.ca/api/forecasts/yukon.rss
Forecast by Text

Avalanche Canada and Avalanche Québec forecasts can now be accessed via text message for users spending time recreating outside of cellphone range. These are text forecasts, and they should only be used if you are unable to access the full forecast through our website or app. For more information, click here.

Forecast Disclaimer

USE AT YOUR OWN RISK

Avalanche Canada's Public Avalanche Bulletin, and other information and services provided by Avalanche Canada, are intended for personal and recreational purposes only.

**THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IN NO EVENT SHALL THE PROVIDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING FROM DISCOMFORT, INJURY, OR DEATH, CLAIMS BY THIRD PARTIES OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR COSTS, OR ANY SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.**

The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events such as avalanches in every instance, and uses the data in this bulletin with this always foremost in mind. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.