Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 21st, 2025 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
Avalanche Québec,
Avalanche Canada
Despite limited observation conditions due to the cold, chances are high that new snow, constant westerly winds and freezing temperatures will keep our wind slab problem alive on the eastern slopes.
The predicted cold temperatures will considerably slow the stabilization of the snowpack. They will also significantly increase the severity of consequences in the event of an accident.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported or observed
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
At the treeline and in alpine areas, surface snow is strongly affected by wind, resulting in great variability in its distribution.
In wind-protected areas, the average depth of snow cover varies between 90 and 120 cm. Within this blanket, we find:
A thin layer of frost at a depth of around 20 cm.
A layer of facetted grains approximately 40 cm deep.
A melt-freeze crust at 60 cm.
These layers showed reactions in our tests, indicating that they could be triggered by a small surface avalanche. With colder temperatures forecast over the next few days, these layers could become even more brittle.
Weather Summary
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS
The passage of a ridge of high pressure should bring the wind down slightly late on Wednesday. A few snowflakes still on the menu.
Tuesday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -26.
Wednesday: Alternating sun and cloud. Traces of snow. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -23.
Thursday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind southwest, 10 to 30 km/h. High -16.
Friday: Sunny. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -15.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
- Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.
Problems
Wind Slabs
With the steady westerly wind and the continued presence of snow available for transport, wind slabs are still forming on the eastern slopes, while cross-loading the northern and southern slopes. These wind slabs, which are sometimes hard, are slightly more difficult to trigger, but they are conducive to propagation in the event of breakage. They rest on fragile layers that have already proved reactive in our tests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 22nd, 2025 3:00PM
