With sunshine and warmer temperatures close to seasonal this weekend, you might feel the need to head into the backcountry.

But Avalanche Canada says conditions in the higher elevations are still experiencing winter-like conditions with highs around -7 C to -10 C.

Forecaster Kate Devine says to be careful especially if it’s sunny outside.

“When the sun comes out, it’ll cause there to be loose snow avalanches,” she said. “A lot of the time they are a pretty low hazard, but they can pick some mass and get to be quite big.”

“It doesn’t initiate like a slab avalanche. The fresh snow, if it hasn’t been windblown into a slab, it’ll just start at a little point, and spread out into a teardrop shape below that starting point.”

Devine adds to be especially careful on those sunny south and south-west facing slopes.

“It’s definitely going to be a beautiful weekend to get out into the mountains with a bit of fresh snow and some sun on the way,” she noted. “As it’s getting closer to spring, the sun will feel warmer.”

Devine says it’s a good idea to pay attention to the forecasts before you head into the backcountry.