Developing storm slabs will remain sensitive to avalanche triggering throughout Saturday, particularly in downwind accumulation areas, on steep slopes and convex rolls,
With the end of precipitation and settling, conditions will stabilize a little more for Sunday.
Storm slabs are developing on top of a layer of new snow that covers the January 2 melt-freeze crust. This crust constitutes an ideal sliding plane for the upper layers of the snowpack that could lead to a natural avalanches cycle.
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.
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With the storm, an additional 20 to 30 cm of snow is added to the 20 to 30 cm of low density snow covering the January 2 crust. This crust supports the weight of a skier or snowboarder.
In areas exposed to the winds, there is a variety of surfaces affected by the wind, ranging from soft slabs to hard slabs, as well as sastrugis or the crust directly on the surface.
In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 50 to 100 cm depending on the area and the elevation.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: The passage of a major low pressure system south of Gaspésie will leave significant amounts of snow until Saturday morning. Clearing will follow and sunshine is forecasted for Sunday.
Friday evening and night: Snow at time heavy and blowing snow, 5-15 cm, northeasterly winds 40 to 60 km/h, minimum -10 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday: Flurries ending in the morning then cloudy, northeasterly winds 20 to 30 km/h, maximum -9 C, freezing level at valley botttom.
Sunday: Sunny, northeasterly winds 40 to 60 km/h, maximum -8 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday: Periods of snow, 5-10 cm, easterly winds 40 to 60 km/h, maximum -5 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
NEW: You can also read the avalanche bulletins for the Haute-Gaspésie shore and Murdochville areas.
