The next system will bring variable conditions to the mountains, depending on the time of day and your altitude.
Adapt your plans to these changes, and if in doubt, opt for conservative terrain.
Up to 15 cm of new snow could be added to the few centimetres already available for transport. This snow will be heavier and could create reactive wind slabs on Tuesday.
Above zero temperatures and rain could weaken the top of the snowpack. Pay particular attention to steep slopes.
Several small loose dry avalanches reacting to skiers were observed in the alpine.
If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
At all elevations, a thin sun crust can be expected on the E, S and W aspects. In the alpine, 10 to 15 cm of new snow have been redistributed by moderate winds and lie on a variety of old, wind-sculpted surfaces. In areas sheltered from the wind and below treeline, around ten centimetres of fresh snow cover a thin, breakable crust, on top of 20 to 40 cm of low-density snow. The snowpack is well consolidated, but a fragile layer of facets persists at the base in places where it is thinner. The height of the snowpack varies between 120 and 220 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS
A system is coming, bringing with it uncertainties about the amount and form of the precipitation, and about the temperatures in the mountains.
Monday evening and night: Cloudy. 8 to 12 cm of snow. Winds 60 to 70 km/h from the southwest. -8C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday: Cloudy. 1-2 cm of snow, possibly turning to rain. Southwest winds from 40 to 60 km/h. -3C. Freezing level: 700m.
Wednesday: Alternating sun and cloud. Winds from 5 to 15 km/h from the north. -8C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Trace of snow. Winds from 30 to 40 km/h from the west. -8C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
