Avalanche warnings of large natural slides and collapsing cornices the size of 'small buildings' could occur on the Island this weekend.
Avalanche Canada posted a Special Public Avalanche Warning for the Backcountry in Western Canada Thursday morning as the avalanche danger rating for the mountains of Vancouver Island increased to “High.”“This Special Public Avalanche Warning is being issued because we’re seeing a really rapid transition to spring,” said Colin Garrity, Avalanche forecaster and field technician in Campbell River.
There will be numerous dangers to watch for, especially on steeper, sun-exposed slopes later in the afternoons.“We’re expecting natural avalanches of wet snow to run down steep features, gullies, things like that and potentially get quite large and definitely large enough to injure somebody and potentially large enough to bury, injure or kill somebody,” Garrity added.
Overhanging snow features called cornices can also be deadly and are at risk of collapsing this weekend. “A falling cornice can be the size of a vehicle or even a small building that could run into somebody and be absolutely catastrophic but they can also trigger avalanches on the slopes below them.Sign up for the CHEK Now daily email newsletter to get breaking news and the day's top stories sent to your email.
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