Avalanche Canada warns of 'extreme' risk in alpine areas of mountains along the northwest coast

Avalanche Canada warns the risk of a slide in alpine areas of mountains along the northwest coast is ranked as ``extreme'' and backcountry users are urged to stay clear for the next few days.

Analysts say heavy snow, rain and rapidly rising temperatures will cause a widespread avalanche cycle in the region that includes Terrace and Kitimat.

The extreme rating means large or very large natural and human-caused avalanches are a certainty.

Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings for a wide area of the north coast, including Terrace and Kitimat, as up to 60 millimetres of rain is expected through the day around those cities.