Trent in Tumbler
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2011
- Messages
- 20
- Reaction score
- 29
- Location
- Tumbler Ridge
- Website
- www.visittumblerridge.ca
Sledders:
There has never been a proper avalanche forecast for the Northern Rockies, including Tumbler Ridge. Why is that? Because the forecasters at the Canadian Avalanche Centre don’t have the data they need to create an accurate picture of the area’s snowpack and weather conditions. But avalanches happen here, too. There's already been one fatality this season.
There is a weekly avalanche report, but the Canadian Avalanche Centre is hoping to make the move to a full-blown forecast. If you’re interested in making this happen, there are ways you can help.One of the easiest is to forward your photos and videos on to the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
Here's the info from avalanche.ca. You can read it directly at There has never been a proper avalanche forecast for the Northern Rockies, including Tumbler Ridge. Why is that? Because the forecasters at the Canadian Avalanche Centre don’t have the data they need to create an accurate picture of the area’s snowpack and weather conditions. But avalanches happen here, too. There's already been one fatality this season.
There is a weekly avalanche report, but the Canadian Avalanche Centre is hoping to make the move to a full-blown forecast. If you’re interested in making this happen, there are ways you can help.One of the easiest is to forward your photos and videos on to the Canadian Avalanche Centre.
What kind of data do we need?[/COLOR]To generate a daily avalanche forecast, the CAC needs a steady stream of professional-level weather and snow observations. Some of this data could be gathered by electronic monitoring systems such as remote weather stations. But the type of snowpack information we require depends on trained professionals who can be in the field on a daily basis throughout the winter.
Where does the data for the CAC’s other forecast regions come from?
The vast majority of the professional-level data that comes into the CAC’s forecast office is donated by over 110 private and public agencies whose business includes avalanche risk management. These include heli- and cat-skiing operations, avalanche control teams for highways and railways, and avalanche specialists for federal and provincial parks. This professional network is called InfoEx, short for Information Exchange. It’s unique to Canada, and the envy of alpine nations around the world. InfoEx has formed the backbone of Canada’s public avalanche forecasts for 20 years—since 1991. Unfortunately there are no InfoEx operations in the North Rockies. If you know of any companies who operate in avalanche terrain in this region please let us know, and we’ll work to enlist their help in data gathering.
What about government funding?
The CAC receives support from the federal and provincial governments, and we work closely together to address ongoing needs for improvements to public avalanche safety programs. Government funding has been instrumental in helping the CAC achieve many goals over the past few years, and will play a role in the North Rockies project as well. But government support is only one aspect to improving services to this region.
How can I help?
Amateur observations
If you ride in the North Rockies, tell us what you’re seeing. Flip us a quick email and send some photos. Your observations can help a lot by filling in the blanks, or alerting us to something unexpected. We especially want to know if you’ve triggered an avalanche, or seen evidence of fresh avalanches. These bits of information help us form that picture we need before we can issue relevant and reliable safety advice. Send your information to [EMAIL="forecaster@avalanche.ca"]forecaster@avalanche.ca[/EMAIL].
Fund raising
Data is expensive. For a North Rockies forecast region, we estimate that we’ll need two, two-person field teams and four remote weather stations. For start-up costs we’re looking at about $250,000, for buying and installing weather stations, and purchasing trucks/trailers, snowmobiles, safety and communication equipment, etc. The annual operating costs for two teams will be around $180,000.
If you want to help establish a forecast for this area, fund raising is a great place to start. Donations of things like professional-quality weather stations, snowmobiles and other equipment helps a lot too. The important thing to remember is that the funding needs to be sustainable—we don’t want to provide a North Rockies forecast for just a couple of years and then have to abandon it because the funding ran out. If you can help out with our fundraising efforts, contact the CAC directly at 250-837-2141.
The bottom line is what works for other parts of the province, isn’t going to work for this region. We need a different approach to establish a daily avalanche forecast for the North Rockies. Let’s do it by working together.]Welcome to avalanche.ca
