Rain could quickly destabilize the snowpack. Use extreme caution if venturing into the mountains.
Although often small, during periods of melting or prolonged precipitation, loose wet avalanches can grow in size and become destructive. Watch this video.
With high temperatures and precipitation in the form of rain expected on Monday, water could percolate in the upper part of the snowpack and slide over the refreezing crust formed on March 7. This water would carry with it the snow above the crust, which could pose a problem in areas where a recent wind plate was present.
No new avalanches observed or reported.
If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Surface snow is moist on all slopes and at all altitudes. By the end of Monday, a widespread refreezing crust should have formed in the mountains.
The surface snow, which varies in thickness from 5 to 40 cm depending on location, rests on a refreezing crust formed on March 7th. This crust appears to be thicker in the alpine than below treeline.
In alpine areas and at treeline, there is very little snow on the western and northern slopes. Snow depths vary between 70 cm and 200 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS
A rainy day in the mountains on Monday
Sunday evening and night: Mostly cloudy. Winds from the south at 40 to 60 km/h. Temperatures steady near +8.
Monday: Intermittent rain. Accumulation of 5 to 10 mm of rain. Winds 20 to 40 km/h from southwest. Maximum +7. Temperature cooling during the day. Freezing level at 2500 m.
Tuesday: Cloudy. Accumulation of 4 cm possible. Wind 20-30 km/h northwest. High -3. Freezing level at 500 m.
Wednesday: Sunny. Winds 5 to 15 km/h from the south. High +4. Freezing level at 700 m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
