The Colorado Avalanche Information Center is calling on backcountry enthusiasts to use added caution when heading out into avalanche terrain following the Christmas holiday.

Colorado is heading into a more dangerous period for avalanche risk than the state has seen since the end of November, state avalanche officials wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday evening, Dec. 25.

“A change in the weather calls for a change in the avalanche danger,” the Colorado Avalanche Information Center wrote in the social media post. “With the widespread nature of our weak layer, your ability to trigger avalanches will increase as soon as a new, cohesive slab builds on the snowpack’s surface.”

The avalanche danger is expected to rise almost everywhere in the state heading into the weekend, according to state avalanche officials. Exactly how quickly and how much the avalanche danger rises will depend on how much snow accumulates and how hard the wind blows.

A prolonged period of stormy and windy weather is expected to last into the New Year. The Colorado avalanche officials say it will be “tricky” to predict how the weak layers in the snowpack will respond to the cumulative load.

“This is a good time to reset the mindset and treat the next few days like you are heading into the mountains for the first time this season,” Colorado avalanche officials said. “Keep your eyes peeled and ears open. Pay attention to signs of instability like cracking and collapsing. These have been absent recently, and when we notice them again, that’s a clear sign to stick to low-angled slopes for safer travel in the mountains. “

For the most up-to-date avalanche forecast is available at Colorado.gov/avalanche.