The Rovers Ground Search and Rescue says weather conditions on the east coast of Newfoundland have created a dangerous hazard not commonly seen in this area.

A combination of snow and high winds has created snow shelves, or cornices, along the coastline.

The Rovers issued a warning via social media on the weekend which immediately got large numbers of shares. The danger says Rovers member Paul French, is that you can be standing on a snow shelf with nothing below, and never know it. He calls it a disaster waiting to happen.

French says the picture they shared was from Cape Spear, but a snow shelf can occur anywhere where the conditions are right. He’s asking people to try to be aware of their surroundings, and keep well away from the end of the coastline.

He says the potential failure zone extends well before the edge of the cliff, and even if the place you’re standing is above solid ground, it can give way as the snow gets pulled down.