A special avalanche warning has been issued for mountain ranges north and east of Kamloops.

Avalanche Canada says the warning includes the North and South Columbias, the Cariboos, Glacier National Park, the Rocky Mountains and other mountain ranges in southeast B.C.

The warning is in effect from today until Sunday, Dec. 27, and recreational users are being advised of the risk on all terrain.

Forecasters say the snowstorm earlier this week brought the snowpack to a “tipping point” because of a weak layer of snow underneath, and the forecast says snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling in the backcountry could easily trigger an avalanche.

James Floyer, program supervisor for Avalanche Canada, says he’s aware people are likely more eager to get outdoors and in the backcountry because of COVID-19 restrictions and indoor gatherings being limited.

“People must be aware that even though the weather has settled, dangerous avalanche conditions remain throughout much of western Canada. There is a serious potential for large, human-triggered avalanches at this time.”

Anyone who does venture into the backcountry is being asked by forecasters to make “conservative terrain choices,” and stick to low-angle or densely-forested terrain, and to bring essential rescue gear like a transceiver, a probe and a shovel. Floyer says to leave steep, open slopes alone for the time being.

While the special warning is in place for the next five days, Avalanche Canada said on the NL Noon Report that unsettled snowpack conditions could last for a couple weeks because of Monday’s snowstorm.

A map of the affected areas by today’s avalanche warning can be found here.