By Canadian Press

Avalanche warning issued for B.C. as winter weather forecasted

Jan 31, 2025 | 10:14 AM

VANCOUVER — Avalanche Canada is warning anyone planning to head into British Columbia’s backcountry that incoming winter weather is expected to bring a “major increase in avalanche danger.”

The forecaster says the past three weeks of dry conditions have formed layers that won’t bond with new snow, so as amounts accumulate, it expects “large and dangerous avalanches to be triggered, both naturally and by humans.”

The avalanche danger rating in the Kamloops area is listed as considerable from Friday, Jan. 31 until Sunday, Feb. 2.

The warning comes as Environment Canada predicts a wintry mix of weather conditions that are expected to hit the south coast of B.C. over the next few days.

The weather office says rain is expected over the North Shore and Metro Vancouver, but a cold front will move over the region Friday afternoon, bringing “a quick burst of heavy snow” to some areas such as eastern Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: It's sad to see so many DEI initiatives cut back

1h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: While working to stem tariff threat, Eby can't neglect systemic healthcare problems in B.C.

Feb 28, 2025

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: February 27, 2025

Feb 27, 2025

It says a low pressure centre will also be moving through the central coast, bringing up to 20 centimetres of snow to the region before reaching the central Interior later Friday.

Snowfall warnings cover much of the Interior, with Environment Canada warning drivers to expect up to 25 centimetres in some regions with deteriorating travel conditions and poor visibility.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2025.

– With files from CFJC Today