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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 5th, 2024–Jan 6th, 2024

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.

Although it's looking more and more like winter in the Chic-Chocs, snow cover remains minimal. The new, very light snow doesn't cover the many obstacles on the ground, and access to the alpine is difficult.

If you venture into the alpine, be careful of areas recently loaded by the wind. Even a small avalanche can have serious consequences in current conditions.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

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

Snowpack Summary

Between 15 and 25 cm of low density new snow lies on top of the New Year's crust (the crusty surface left by December's rain), or directly on the ground. The depressions, particularly on the southern slopes of the alpine are slowly regaining sufficient coverage for skiing, but access is very difficult given the thin snowpack. Walking is often more appropriate than skiing...

Some laterally loaded couloirs at the tree line of the Madeleine mines also seem to be gradually filling up with snow.

Snow cover remains minimal, and in most places the snowpack is below the critical avalanche threshold. The height of the snowpack varies between 10 and 60 cm.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: Passage of a high-pressure ridge on Saturday. Northwest winds, cold temperatures and an ice-free St-Lawrence river will favor lake effect snow. Mountain foothills and the coast should receive more snow.

Friday evening and night: Snow flurries, 2 to 5 cm. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -18.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, light snow possible in the morning. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -18C.

Sunday: Sunny. Wind northeast, 10 to 20 km/h. Maximum -9C.

Monday: Alternating sun and clouds. Light north-westerly wind. High -9.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.

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.