Image Credit: CFJC Today/File Photo

By Silvia Senna

AVALANCHE CANADA

Risk of avalanche still exists in the North Thompson despite lack of snow

Dec 29, 2023 | 12:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — There is a lack of snow within city limits. However, the risk of avalanche still exists and people should be cautious when heading in the backcountry.

Avalanche Canada says there is no avalanche warning currently in affect in the North Thompson. However, snowpacks are being monitored and that could change at any point.

“The thing that changes the snowpack is weather. Weather is a phenomenon that’s hard to predict further than about a week out, sometimes even less. In the short term, it doesn’t look like we’re going to see a lot of change, which means these conditions will probably remain reasonably stagnant and people need to be quite diligent about sticking to more conservative terrain and not getting pushed into bigger terrain,” explained Zoe Ryan, a public avalanche forecaster with Avalanche Canada.

With that being said, Ryan advises everyone to check the conditions and be prepared when heading in the backcountry.

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“It’s important that if people are recreating in the backcountry, they need to have avalanche safety training,” said Ryan. “You should have at least (a survival) course and be checking the avalanche bulletin any day if you’re planning on heading out.”