Avalanche Canada lists Sea to Sky region as ‘extreme’ for risk

The atmospheric river is not only adding worries for more flooding but it’s also increasing the avalanche risk on B.C. mountains.

Avalanche Canada says the heavy rainstorms combined with the mild temperatures has made conditions extremely hazardous right now.

In the Sea to Sky region, where popular Whistler Blackcomb is located, conditions are listed as extreme for Wednesday.

Already some avalanches have been reported in B.C. in recent days.

Conditions are not favourable for backcountry activities Wednesday in many parts of the province. In the Sea to Sky region conditions are listed as extreme. (Avalanche Canada)

B.C.’s South Coast is being hit by the third heavy rainstorm in a week, and Avalanche Canada says there have been some surprisingly large avalanches on weak layers during the storms.

“At elevations up to around 2500 m, significant amounts of rain is falling on new snow from earlier in the storm. Until temperatures cool, this will result in a wet, heavy, unstable upper snowpack,” Avalanche Canada’s bulletin reads.

Avalanche Canada says the atmospheric river is also leading to heightened risks in the mountains.

“More loading and rising freezing levels with the ongoing storm will result in increasing avalanche activity. Avalanches have the potential to be larger than expected if they step-down on the deeper combo crust / facets,” it adds.

Even lower down below treeline the conditions are still volatile, with early season hazards such as rocks, stumps, and creeks still a concern.

In addition to the risk of an avalanche, getting to the mountain is also dangerous.

#BCHwy93 – CLOSED between #RadiumHotSprings & the #Alberta border due to high avalanche hazard.

Detour available via #BCHwy1 east of #GoldenBC.

Detour has intermittent closures. Check here for details: https://t.co/oupRl2gfII

https://t.co/IJk3vVf4xs

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) December 1, 2021

B.C. Minister of Transportation Rob Fleming has urged everyone to avoid non-essential travel right now.

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• Hard-hit Fraser Valley Regional District makes ‘urgent plea’ for provincial flood relief

• Chilliwack man creates ‘Navigating the Fraser Valley for Dummies’ for B.C. flood highway closures

“Many major routes commonly used for backcountry access are restricted to essential traffic only. We encourage everyone to be aware of and adhere to the travel restrictions that are in place to support recovery efforts,” Avalanche Canada adds.

Sunshine Village is closed today. Parks Canada has closed the access road due to heavy snow and extreme avalanche hazard. The road will remain closed for the entire day.

— SSV Snow Safety (@ssvsnowsafety) December 1, 2021

The warning comes just days after a snowmobiler died west of Chetwyn. They were with a group of four when they were buried by an avalanche. The other three people were able to self rescue. The identity of the deceased has not been released.

With files from The Canadian Press