Avalanche warning issued for backcountry users

Avalanche Canada has issued a special avalanche warning for several mountains in B.C.'s interior this weekend.

- Read the Avalanche Canada warning here

Heavy snow, winds and warm temperatures have combined for high avalanche danger ratings in many mountains:

- North Rockies.

- Cariboos.

- North Columbia.

- South Columbia.

- Purcells.

- Kootenay boundary.

- South Rockies.

- Lizard Range and Flathead.

The temperature is expected to drop this weekend, creating the potential for human triggered avalanches. The warning applies to recreational backcountry users until Dec. 1.

"Now we've finally had a good storm and people are ready to ride. But all that new snow fell on a relatively fragile structure," said Joe Lammers, a public avalanche forecaster with Avalanche Canada.

"This weekend there's going to be pent-up demand for powder snow. It will be essential to take things slow and exercise cautious decision making."

Avalanche Canada recommends backcountry users avoid big, steep slopes and stick to simple, low-angle terrain.

It also recommends trail users are equipped with avalanche safety equipment, including an avalanche transceiver, probe and shovel.