Pay attention to how the snowpack responds to the weather system. The surface snow could become unstable due to rainfall and rising temperatures.
Warm temperatures and rain could destabilize the surface snow and trigger small, loose wet avalanches. Pay attention to steep slopes, areas near rocky outcrops, and terrain traps if a small avalanche were to occur.
If the snowpack becomes sufficiently moist due to rising temperatures and rain, a wet slab problem could develop in areas where wind slabs were present, namely on aspects from northeast to south. This problem could be most pronounced in the upper parts of slopes and in areas of cross-loading. Slab thickness could range between 10 and 30 cm.
A size 1 skier-triggered avalanche was observed on Sunday on a south-facing slope in alpine terrain on Mont Albert.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Between 5 and 20 cm of recent snow overlies a melt-freeze crust. On solar aspects, the surface snow warmed significantly on Sunday and will form a new melt-freeze crust. At higher elevations, west-facing slopes are mostly scoured, while north- and east-facing slopes feature a mix of icy surfaces and wind-affected snow.
A widespread and well-developed melt-freeze crust is present at 30 to 50 cm depth. On solar aspects, the snow is moist down to this crust.
At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 160 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system will reach the Gaspé Peninsula early Monday morning, bringing strong southerly winds and a mix of precipitation.
Sunday evening and overnight: Increasing cloudiness overnight. Southwest winds of 20 to 40 km/h. Low of -5 °C.
Monday: Snow changing to rain, with up to 8 mm of precipitation. Southwest winds of 50 to 70 km/h. High of +2 °C. Freezing level rising to 800 m.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Northwest winds of 20 to 40 km/h. High of +1 °C. Freezing level at 600 m.
Wednesday: Intermittent snow or rain. South winds of 10 to 30 km/h. High of +1 °C. Freezing level rising to 1000 m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
