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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2023–Feb 3rd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

With the moderate to strong winds, the wind slabs continue to form. Those of the last few days are piling up, to form an interface showing several signs of instability.

Take the time to carefully assess your line if you are entering wind affected terrain, and be prepared to adjust your plan.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On the Albert area, yesterday, several avalanches were reported on the north and northeast slopes. They all released within an interface of overlying wind slab, from the previous couple of days. See the MIN for more information.

  • Three natural avalanches of size 0.5 to 1.

  • One size 2 avalanche was accidentally triggered by a skier.

  • Our team ski cutted a size 1.5.

Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

Little changes from yesterday. In areas sheltered from the wind, we find 15 to 20 cm of very light snow that rests either on the January 18 crust or on 20 to 50 cm of slightly heavier snow that rests on the January 18 crust. The best conditions are found below the treeline and in the lower treeline.In the alpine and at the treeline, the surface is ranging from soft slabs on the surface, to wind-affected snow, to crust, to rock.Facetted grains have developed on and under the January 18 crust, with more and more test results showing reactivity on this crustThe bottom of the snowpack is composed of a laminate of decomposing crusts and facetted grains. In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 60 to 80 cm in the valley to 100 to 140 cm at mid-mountain.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: An intense Arctic cold front approaches on Thursday night, leaving extremely cold temperatures and intense winds for the next few days.

Thursday night and overnight: Cloudy. 5-10 cm of snow. Winds from the southwest from 45 to 65 km/h. Min -20C.

Friday: Clearing in the morning. 1-2 cm of snow. Winds from the southwest shifting to northwest around 60 km/h. High -30C.

Saturday: Alternating sun and clouds. 1-2 cm of snow. Winds from the northwest from 90 to 130 km/h. High -25C.

Sunday: Mostly sunny. 2-3 cm of snow. Winds from the southwest around 75 km/h easing off to 50 km/h at midday. High -20C.

For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Fresh snow rests on a problematic persistent slab, don't let good riding lure you into complacency.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.