In alpine areas and treeline, the eastern and southern slopes are beginning to accumulate significant amounts of snow. At lower elevations, however, natural obstacles remain close to the surface.
New wind slabs are forming on the eastern slopes. They are resting on old, hardened wind slabs. The latter seem difficult to trigger.
No new avalanches reported or observed
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
At treeline and in the alpine, surface snow is strongly affected by wind, resulting in great variability in its distribution and density. There is considerably more snow in the northern part of the forecast area (Mines versus Lyall).
The average snow depth at treeline varies between 90 and 120 cm. The cold weather of the past week has promoted the faceting process within the snowpack.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS
A strong ridge of high pressure will settle over the Chic-Chocs on Saturday, before giving way to a weak trough of low pressure that will rapidly cross Quebec on Sunday.
Friday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -18.
Saturday: Sunny. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -12.
Sunday: Alternating sun and clouds. Accumulation of 1 to 3 cm. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -10.
Monday: Flurries. Accumulation 10 to 15 cm. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -10.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
