While traveling, pay attention to newly formed wind slabs as well as storm slabs that may still be reactive to rider traffic in some areas.
New wind slabs are forming below ridgelines and convexities. Significant snow transport was observed on Monday, and wind slab formation is expected to continue through Monday night into Tuesday. Their estimated thickness ranges from 10 to 30 cm.
Storm slabs may still be reactive in areas with preferential loading and below convexities. Since Sunday’s storm was accompanied by extreme winds, the problem appears to be more pronounced at treeline. Storm slab thickness is estimated to range between 20 and 40 cm.
Several avalanches that occurred on Sunday were reported on the Mountain Information Network (MIN). These avalanches, triggered by skiers, occurred at treeline on north-facing aspects.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
In some areas, up to 40 cm of new snow fell during the last storm. This snow rests on a variety of surfaces: wind-affected snow, powder snow, or sun crust.
A widespread melt-freeze crust about 2 cm thick is present at depths of 40 to 70 cm. A weak layer of faceted grains has developed on this crust on north to east aspects and is reactive in tests at treeline and in alpine terrain.
At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 140 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
After the weekend storm, a high-pressure system will bring fair weather over the next few days.
Monday evening and night: Snow showers. Accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. Northwest wind at 20 to 40 km/h. Low of -15 °C.
Tuesday: Mix of sun and cloud. Northwest wind at 10 to 30 km/h. High of -12 °C.
Wednesday: Sunny. West wind at 10 to 30 km/h. High of -8 °C.
Thursday: Sunny. South wind increasing in the afternoon to 70 km/h. High of 2 °C. Freezing level rising to 2000 m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
