With storm snow and strong westerly winds, wind slabs will continue to develop throughout the day Friday. Keep in mind that wind slabs are at their most sensitive when forming.
The storm snow was strongly moved by the strong winds, first from the east and then from the west. With northwesterly winds, new wind slabs will continue to develop at the top of eastern slopes in the alpine and in cross loaded areas at treeline.
Dry loose snow avalanches are possible on steep slopes and convex rolls at treeline and below.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
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A total of 15 to 25 cm of storm snow accumulated during the day Thursday. This new snow adds to the snowfalls over the past week for a total of 25 to 40 cm above the January 18 crust. Strong easterly and then westerly winds moved the new snow greatly to create a wide variety of surfaces, ranging from hard slabs to scoured down to the crust in the alpine, and lighter density snow or soft slabs in sheltered areas and below treeline.
Below the January 18th crust is a generally well settled 15 to 20 cm of snow, resting on the facet from the decomposition of the January 2nd melt freeze crust. This interface sits on a mix of laminated crusts and facets at the base of the snowpack.
In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 50 to 70 cm in the valley to 100 to 140 cm mid-mountain.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: Following the storm, a weak ridge of high pressure sets in to bring a gradual clearing through Friday.
Thursday evening and night: Periods of snow, 1-2 cm, westerly winds 30 to 50 km/h, minimum -17 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Friday: Mainly cloudy and clearing in the afternoon, northwesterly winds 30 to 50 km/h, maximum -15 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday: Periods of snow, 1-3 cm, southwesterly winds 60 to 80 km/h, maximum -9 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, westerly winds 20 to 40 km/h, maximum -17 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.
