Public Avalanche Bulletins
CLICK ON THE MAP ABOVE to view the CAC Public Avalanche Bulletin (PAB) webpage. The PAB is like a road report for the mountains.
EVERYONE should access this information before going riding!
Please open a current bulletin for any CAC Forecast area by clicking on a region on the map or by selecting from the list on the left side of the page.
Otherwise you may refer to this screen shot of the North Columbia Avalanche Forecast from Dec 18/09 which follows.
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Note the NEW AND ENHANCED features. These excellent features were added during the winter of 2008 and the Primary Concern icons and new layout were added in fall of 2009.
- Sub-regions in the Hazard Rating Chart – some of the forecast regions have new sub-regions to improve the quality of data by reducing the size of the forecast regions. Weather patterns have been the primary influence in these new dividing lines. For the North Columbia PAB region the new areas are the Cariboos (west side of Hwy 5) vs. Monashees and Selkirks (east side of Hwy 5).
- Color Map of the new Sub-Regions – in the top right of the forecast report. (THIS WILL BE UPLOADED TO THE NEW WEBSITE SOON)
- Confidence – the level of confidence is primarily related to the forecaster’s confidence in the weather forecast. (If the actual weather varies much from the forecasted weather, then the PAB may have mis-judged the avalanche hazard.) Confidence may also be low if there are little information being submitted to the forecasters (early or late season…)
- Primary Concerns Icons – a visual summary of the problem layers. Avalanche type, sides of the mountains affected, elevation band of concern and time of day for the primary concern.
- Avalanche Activity tells you what IS happening
- Snowpack Data tells you what COULD happen
- Weather Data tells you what SHOULD happen
- Glossary Links – click on highlighted technical terms for detailed descriptions and images. Very useful as a FREE training tool.
- Next Scheduled Update – this date ensures that no one accidentally uses stale bulletin information. Conditions can change quickly SO IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ACCESS THE DATA FOR THE CORRECT REGION ON THE CORRECT DATE.
- Recently Reported Avalanche Incidents – these reports are specific to the Bulletin area selected.
Photos are often included in many of the reports. This one shows the full path of the Size 3 slab avalanche (large enough to bury or destroy a truck or small building.)
FREE email service
The CAC offers a FREE EMAIL service for the PAB.
To subscribe please follow this link
Choose the bulletin regions that you would like to receive info for. (i.e. North Columbia and the North Rockies)
Simple emails are sent to ensure that you always have easy access to the most current information, including Special Warnings.
Take advantage of this feature and keep in touch with the ever-changing conditions. Not only will this FREE service prepare you for your backcountry trips, but you will also grow your avalanche experience and vocabulary by noting the significant events and trends in the weather and avalanche cycles. Learn to identify the significant weather patterns and start to develop your own snow interpretation ability. As you read about the weather today, try to guess how it will affect the snow stability tomorrow. Pick up travel hints and terrain identification skills by following the forecasters travel advisories
We highly recommend that you take advantage of this service.
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