It's springtime and time to hit the more challenging runs. As we are in a night freeze and day thaw cycle, be sure to plan your outings carefully to get the best quality snow possible. North alpine slopes can remain very firm much later in the day. Drag your crampons and ice axes and watch out for uncontrolled slips.
The spring weather conditions, in particular in the absence of overnight refreezing, contribute to weakening the cornices. Even small, a cornice fall can be destructive with serious consequences. Since they are very unpredictable, it is best to stay away from them at all times.
The heat and the intense solar radiation will promote the triggering of small loose wet snow avalanches, in particular on the steep slopes on solar aspects.
A cycle of nighttime freezing and daytime thawing is taking shape for the next few days, bringing the much appreciated corn snow conditions under the afternoon sun. The northern Alpine slopes may remain firm despite the warming. At the foot of the mountains, in the absence of overnight refreezing, the heat and intense solar radiation will continue to rapidly transform the snow to fill it with water and continue the accelerated melting of the snowpack. More and more areas are now without snow cover, mainly at and below the treeline where conditions are quite minimal.Snowpack heights range from 0 cm (valley) to 95 cm (mid-mountain).
No new avalanche has been observed or reported.
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Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure over the area will keep the weather clear until midweek. Monday evening and night: Clear, winds southeast 10 to 20 km/h, low -2 C, freezing level at 400 m. Tuesday: Sunny, winds from southeast 15 to 30 km/h, maximum +4 C, freezing level at 1900 m.Wednesday: Alternating sun and clouds, light southerly winds, maximum +5 C, freezing level at 1500 m.Thursday: Clearing, light easterly winds, maximum +3 C, freezing level at 1400 m. For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
