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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 7th, 2023–Dec 8th, 2023

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

The rating is low in the alpine, because the wind slab problem is specific and isolated to the steep couloirs of Mount Albert.

The issue is that these are the very places where skiing is currently possible. So don't let the low index fool you, and stay vigilant.

We're still in early-season conditions, and even a small avalanche could have serious consequences.

Examine your route carefully for wind slab hazards before venturing out.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Two 1.5 slab avalanche deposits were observed at the foot of the Benny couloir, as well as at the foot of Rolling Stone, in the Patrouilleurs wall on Mont Albert.

Early season, observations are limited. Thanks for sharing your observation through the Mountain Information Network if you head out.

No new avalanches have been observed or reported. Please share your observations at [email protected] or via the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

In general, the snowpack remains thin, varying from 30 to 70 cm at mid-mountain. 10 to 25 cm of light snow covers the crust November 28th crust. The crust is present on all aspects and elevations, but becomes increasingly brittle as it rises in altitude.

In the Mount Albert alpine, with its large fetch zone on the summit plateau, areas of maximum loading, depressions and concavities show a thicker, more variable and more complex snowpack.

The summits are bare and exposed to rock or crust.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: Fine weather on Friday and Saturday before the passage of a warm, rainy low-pressure system on Sunday and Monday.

Thursday evening and night: Partly cloudy, light snow. Wind northwest 30-60 km/h. Minimum -13C.

Friday: Clearing in the morning. Wind northwest 30 to 60 km/h. High -11C.

Saturday: Sunny. Wind veering southwest 10 to 30 km/h. Maximum -2. Freezing level rising to 500m.

Sunday: Mixed precipitation. Strong south-westerly wind. Maximum 2. Freezing level at 2000m.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
  • Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.

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.