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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 22nd, 2023–Feb 23rd, 2023

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.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

The density of the wind slabs are variable. Keep in mind that the reactivity of a soft slab is harder to assess.

If you're committing to complex terrain, keep some distance between the group members, prioritize the use of higher ground and plan some safe spot down your line.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche has been observed or reported in the last 24 hours.

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 since yesterday. Above 600m, moderate to strong winds have redistributed the available snow, exposing the ice in open areas, and creating isolated wind slabs of varying density on immediate lees, cross and reverse loaded features. Below 600m, there is a generalized brittle crust, which becomes less and less noticeable when skiing as we approach 600m. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, with a constant progression in density. The January 18 crust is buried under sixty to one hundred centimetres of snow, and still has a layer of faceted grains above it. The best skiing remains in sheltered areas, above 600m, where the snow has been preserved from the weather events of the last few days (warm temperatures and wind).

In general, the depth of the snowpack varies from 70 to 90 cm in the valley to 100 to 150 cm at mid-mountains.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: The movement of the ice will allow some light precipitation due to squalls for the next few days.

Wednesday evening and night: Mostly cloudy. 1-2 cm of snow. Winds from 35 to 45 km/h from the northwest. Min -20C.

Thursday: Increasing clouds. Trace of snow. Winds 45 km/h easing off to 15 km/h from the northwest. Max. -25C.

Friday: Gradual clearing. Trace of snow. Winds from 15 to 25 km/h from the northwest. Max -26C.

Saturday: Cloudy. 1-2 cm of snow. Winds from 35 to 40 km/h from the northwest. Max. -30C.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.