New weather station in Haines Pass starts broadcasting

A new weather station is transmitting weather data from the Haines Pass something that could potentially save lives, according to the Yukon Avalanche Association.

The station, installed on Oct. 28., islocatedjust north of Three Guardsmen Mountain, in B.C. Itrecords wind speed, precipitation and other data, whichwill allow for more accurate forecasting in the pass. That includes more accurate risk assessment for avalanches.

Yukon Avalanche Association director Ben Horowitz said that's importantas the pass is getting busier.

"We had nothing in the Haines Pass and that was a big gap for us," he said."There's a steady uptick in back-country travel."

Horowitz said more and more people are getting into skiing,snowboardingand sledding in the region, especially in the last few years.

Keeping the station running will be a challenge because of the harsh environment, said Horowitz.

Volunteers will need to change batteries and brush off snow.

The new tower is at 951 metres of elevation. Its data can already be read on YukonAvalanche.ca. It joins other stations in the White Passwhich have provided information for back-country travellers.

Horowitz said it's rewarding to see volunteers' efforts pay off as well as a$20,000 grant from the Yukon Government Community Development Fund.

Horowitz said he hopes more will be installed in the future, to get a better sense of the weather in this remote region.

"It's still a really data-sparse region. The weather station is the first step in expanding our services and trying to move toward seasonal bulletins for the HainesPass," he said.

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