Winds are back in force and will create dangerous conditions in alpine terrain.
Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features and be aware of the potential rider-triggered sluffs on steep slopes.
Strong forecasted wind combined with recent accumulations and upcoming storm snow will develop reactive wind slabs on lee alpine features and cross-loaded areas. Rider-triggered avalanches are likely on steep, supported convex terrain. Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features.
Friday, several skier-triggered avalanches were reported, including a wind slab on a leeward alpine feature and a storm slab on a sheltered slope at treeline. These avalanches (size 1 to 1.5) likely failed on a buried crust.
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Up to 20-30 cm of new snow has fallen into the Chic-Chocs in the last week. In the alpine and treeline, these accumulations bond well to a solid underlying crust. Moderate winds, which have been blowing only for the last 48 hours, brought greater accumulation on leeward slopes. Under this snow, a melt-freeze crust overlies 20 cm of denser snow. This crust is only present in solar aspects. Below treeline, the recent snow is still dry and powdery in places. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several melt-freeze crusts from the last few weeks.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A vigourous winter-like storm will keep impacting the region Saturday night with a strong southerly flow. A cold northwesterly flow will return Sunday, bringing well-below-average cold temperatures.
Saturday evening and night: Snow. Local amount 10-15 cm. Moderate southeasterly winds gusting 50 km/h. Low of -5 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday: Isolated flurries up to 2 cm. Strong northwesterly winds gusting 60 km/h. High of -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday: A mix of sun and clouds. Moderate westerly winds gusting 40 km/h. High of -6 C. Freezing level at valley bottom. 5 cm of snow at night.
Tuesday: Isolated flurries. Moderate westerly winds gusting 40 km/h. High of -4 C. Freezing level rises to 500m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
