Some areas in our forecast zone could receive more than 25 cm of snow by Friday evening.
If these forecasts prove accurate, caution is advised: storm slabs are particularly sensitive when they first form.
Storm snow may accumulate rapidly during the storm and show signs of instability. Depending on the amount of snow received, natural avalanches are possible in alpine areas and in places with alpine characteristics (gullies, couloirs).
No avalanche activity was observed or reported.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
The new snow will add to the 10 to 30 cm of light snow already present in the mountains. This snow lies on top of an old crust formed on 20 December, on which a fragile layer of faceted grains is developing.
Due to the wind over the last few days, the snow is distributed very unevenly in alpine terrain and near the tree line: some slopes are almost bare, while other areas have larger accumulations of wind-blown snow.
The average snow depth is 60 to 90 cm at mid-mountain.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
Thursday evening and night: Snow, at times heavy, 10 to 15 cm. Wind shifting to north, 30 to 50 km/h. Low -14.
Friday: Snow, 5 to 10 cm. Wind northwest, 30 to 50 km/h. Temperature dropping to -16 in the afternoon.
Saturday: Cloudy. Accumulation of 1 to 3 cm. Wind from the west, 30 to 60 km/h. High -19.
Sunday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind from the west 30 to 60 km/h. High -20.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
