Snowfall continues to improve conditions in the mountains, as isolated wind slabs develop on the upper alpine slopes. They should be to watch, because even small ones can have serious consequences due to the still minimal snowpack and the many obstacles at the surface or barely covered.
New snow above the December melt-freeze crust (15-30 cm) continues to be transported by sustained northerly winds to form small isolated wind slabs on the upper W-SW-S-SE-E slopes in the alpine.
No avalanche activity was observed or reported.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
About 15 to 30 cm of fresh snow covers the December melt-freeze crust or directly the ground. In the valley, the thickness of the snowpack barely exceeds 15 to 20 cm, while it varies between 50 and 60 cm at mid-mountain, and up to 80 cm in places at higher elevation. Consequently, conditions remain minimal with rocks, trees and stumps on the surface or barely covered.
An extended northerly flow continues to promote persistent snowfall through Thursday evening.
Tuesday night: Snow at times heavy, 10 to 15 cm, northwesterly winds 20-40 km/h, temperature -4 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Wednesday: Snow at times heavy, 10 to 15 cm during the day and 10 to 15 cm at night, northwesterly winds 20-40 km/h, temperature -2 C, freezing level at 250 m.
Thursday: Periods of snow, 5 to 10 cm, northerly winds 20-40 km/h, temperature around 0 C, freezing level at 500 m.
Friday: Sunny, no precipitation, northwesterly winds 20-30 km/h, temperature -3 C, freezing level at 150 m.
For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
