Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 20th, 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
The anticipated extreme cold will greatly slow the stabilization of the snowpack. Furthermore, it will significantly amplify the severity of any accident in the mountains.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
An avalanche estimated to be 1.5 to 2 in size has been reported on the Mountain Information Network. The avalanche occurred on the morning of January 20 at the top of the North Couloir on Mount Hog's Back. We have little information on this avalanche, but we suspect it was triggered by a skier. See details here: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/8623ba3f-d760-11ef-8314-0a58a9feac02
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
A few residual snow showers following the passage of the low-pressure system.
Monday evening and night: Light snow, 1-3 cm. Wind west, 40-60 km/h. Low -29.
Tuesday: Cloudy. Wind west, 30 to 50 km/h. High -25.
Wednesday: Sunny. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -23.
Thursday: Alternating sun and cloud. Wind southwest, 10 to 30 km/h. High -16.
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 21st, 2025 3:00PM
