District Highways Manager Don Ramsay says 65 millimetres of rain has fallen since last night with over 45 millimetres more in the forecast. He says that’s left the avalanche conditions above the route in a particularly perilous state.

 

Ramsay says officials are hoping the weather breaks enough to permit helicopter flights over the route so that avalanche technicians can survey the snow. If they can determine that natural avalanches have happened along crucial run areas, the highway could re-open in a matter of hours. If the paths haven’t cleared, technicians will have to do some bombing. Depending on how much snow comes down, Highway 16 may stay closed until all debris is cleared.

 

The Canadian Avalanche Centre says the heavy rain has left conditions in the backcountry extremely treacherous. The hazard rating for Terrace and Coastal areas is rated as extreme.

 

Local airline Hawkair has added a flight between Terrace and Prince Rupert today because of the road closure.