Image: Avalanche Canada / Avalanche Canada, in partnership with Parks Canada, Kananaskis Country, and the province of British Columbia, has issued a Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW) for recreational backcountry users across the mountainous regions of western Canada, including areas east of Chilliwack. The areas east of Chilliwack have the highest avalanche warning rating. Several mountain peaks east of Chilliwack are covered by the warning, including Elk Mountain (1,432 metres) and Mount Archibald (1,729 metres).

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Avalanche warning east of Chilliwack

Avalanche warning issued for mountains east of Chilliwack, including Elk Mountain

Apr 27, 2023 | 10:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — The forecasted heat wave set to arrive in Chilliwack and other parts of B.C. this weekend has prompted an avalanche agency to distribute an avalanche warning before backcountry country users head out for the weekend.

Avalanche Canada, in partnership with Parks Canada, Kananaskis Country, and the province of British Columbia, has issued a Special Public Avalanche Warning (SPAW) for recreational backcountry users across the mountainous regions of western Canada, including areas east and north of Chilliwack.

Several mountain peaks east of Chilliwack are covered by the warning, including Elk Mountain (1,432 metres) and Mount Archibald (1,729 metres), along with Mount Pierce (1,957 metres), Ford Mountain (1,424 metres), and Church Mountain (1,714 metres).

In a statement distributed to media outlets Thursday morning (Apr. 27), Avalanche Canada says a dramatic increase in temperatures is expected to destabilize the snowpack, resulting in dangerous, destructive avalanches. This special warning is in effect immediately and will apply through the end of Monday, May 1. For a map of the SPAW region, click here.

Temperatures are expected to reach 27 degrees Friday and Saturday under sunny skies, before cooling off significantly on Sunday with an expected high of 14 and showers.

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The sudden transition from cool, wintry conditions in the alpine to warm temperatures will create dangerous avalanche conditions. The effect of the warm temperatures on the existing snowpack structure means that these avalanches will likely be very large and may run to valley bottoms.

Dangerous avalanche conditions exist for all mountainous regions in western Canada and the hazard increases with each day of warm air. Regions with persistent or deep persistent slab avalanche problems will be especially problematic, with avalanches potentially involving the full depth of the snowpack.

Warming can also initiate large and destructive cornice falls. Cornices can be destructive by themselves but also act as a trigger for destructive deep persistent avalanches.

All backcountry users, including hikers and scramblers, and anyone recreating in avalanche terrain are advised to leave a wide margin for error during this warming period, stick to simple, low angle terrain, and avoid all overhead avalanche hazards.

Backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast at www.avalanche.ca. Everyone in a backcountry party needs the essential rescue gear—transceiver, probe, and shovel—and the training to use it.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Avalanche warning issued for mountains east of Chilliwack, including Elk Mountain

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