The Canadian Avalanche Centre (CAC) has issued a special public avalanche warning for much of British Columbia's backcountry, including for the Kootenay Boundary region.
The avalanche warning is in effect from today (Friday, Feb. 24) to Monday, Feb. 27.
"The clear, dry spell covering the province in early February had a weakening effect on the surface of the snow at that time," CAC Manager of Public Avalanche Warning Services Karl Klassen said in a news release.
"Now that surface is buried and left us with a very complex upper snowpack, with a number of weak layers. Conditions are very tricky to manage right now. If you’re going into avalanche terrain, you need local knowledge, extensive experience and training."
The CAC is recommending that all that are heading into the backcountry pay close attention to advice in avalanche bulletins.
"Everyone in a backcountry party needs to be equipped with a shovel, probe and transceiver and the CAC strongly recommends all backcountry users take an avalanche awareness course," the release read.
"Snowpack stability changes constantly throughout the winter. Backcountry users need to check the avalanche bulletin regularly to keep informed of conditions in their area."
The warning was originally issued on Feb. 24 but was updated this morning to include other areas, including the Kootenay Boundary.
Also included are the mountainous areas of the Cariboos, the North and South Columbias, the North and South Rockies, the Lizard Range, the Purcells, the South Coast Inland, Northwest Coastal and Northwest Inland regions.
Go to avalanche.ca/cac for more.