Chic-Choc Mountains

Exercise caution when approaching leeward slopes and those with lateral loading.

Carefully assess the slopes you are about to enter.

• Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
• Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

A natural slab avalanche of size 2 was observed on Monday, March 3, in the steep section of the Patrouilleurs Wall on Mount Albert. It was reported on the RIM: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/a9a8d3a4-f905-11ef-9dd3-0a58a9feac02

If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

In wind-protected areas at and below the tree line, up to 40 cm of light snow is found resting on a thin, friable crust.

The wind has altered the snow cover in the alpine, creating significant variability: some areas are bare, others are compacted or eroded, while some have accumulated snow. The east and southeast slopes have been favored by recent loading. A thin crust is buried beneath the new snow on the sunny slopes of the alpine up to about 700 m.

The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, resting on a layer of faceted grains that are rounding out.

WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS

A light depression bringing some snowflakes by Wednesday morning.

Tuesday evening and night: Generally cloudy. Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. West wind at 15 to 30 km/h. Minimum -10 °C.

Wednesday: Generally cloudy. Light intermittent snow starting late in the afternoon, 3 to 7 cm. Light southwest wind. Maximum -3 °C. Freezing level at 400 m.

Thursday: Freezing rain, then rain (5-10 mm). South wind at 40 to 70 km/h. Maximum +4 °C. Freezing level at, 2050 m.

Friday: Intermittent rain or snow. Light west wind. Cooling down. Maximum +4°C, minimum -7°C. Freezing level at 570 m.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.