Avalanche Canada has issued a special warning for most of BC’s and Alberta’s forecast regions and is keeping it in effect until the end of Monday.

The organization says prominent weak layers have developed in the upper snowpack, formed during periods of drought in January and February and buried between 30 and 100 centimetres deep.

There is now a consolidated slab of snow on top of these layers, creating dangerous avalanche conditions.

After a season of relatively stable conditions, Avalanche Canada says we are entering a period of dramatic change, and it is important to adapt mindsets to reflect this.

They say avalanche problems of this nature can be difficult to predict and there may be limited clues about deeper snowpack instabilities, but avalanches triggered on these layers are likely to be dangerous and destructive.

The warning urges backcountry users to choose conservative terrain and use good travel habits; choose slopes less than 30 degrees in clearings, open trees, and alpine terrain; remember that danger may not be obvious; and avoid sun-exposed slopes during warm or sunny conditions.

As well, backcountry users should always check the avalanche forecast at Avalanche Canada.