A brief return of winter on Thursday on the Chic-Chocs summits.
Possible snow ... and certainly the formation of a crust will make it difficult to travel on the mountain.
Don't forget your crampons and ice axes!
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
At the time of publication, no new avalanches had been observed or reported.
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Snowpack Summary
Temporary return of winter in the mountains on Thursday. According to the most optimistic models, we could find up to 4 cm of new snow on our summits. This new snow could create small isolated wind slabs in the alpine on the eastern, southeastern and southern slopes. The mild temperatures, low precipitation amounts and isolated nature of these slabs mean that we have not deemed it necessary to add it as an avalanche problem, but remain vigilant if you see signs of recent loading.Subzero alpine temperatures may make travel conditions difficult on the refreezing crust.In general, the rapid melting of the snowpack in recent days has exposed the ground, primarily at and below the treeline. Below the treeline, snow conditions are rather sticky and slow.Snowpack heights range from 20 cm (valley) to 110 cm (mid-mountain).
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A weak low over northern Quebec will be split in two by a ridge and will bring light precipitation to the Chic-Chocs.Wednesday evening and night: Light rain (3 mm) or snow (up to 4 cm in the alpine). Wind northwest, 30 to 40 km/h. Low -4. Freezing level 500 m.Thursday: Cloudy. Trace of snow. Wind 30 to 40 km/h from the northwest. Max. -2C. Freezing level at 500 m.Friday: Clearing, light precipitation late in the day. Wind 5 to 10 km/h from the southwest. Max. +5. Freezing level at 1100 m.Saturday: Cloudy. Wind 10 to 20 km/h from southeast. Max +8. Freezing level at 1200 m.For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
Problems
Loose Wet
With the freezing level remaining around 500 to 600 meters and the low solar radiation, we can expect the problem of wet loose snow avalanches to be limited to and below the treeline. The problem will be more significant on steep terrain and on slopes that have not experienced a refreezing episode.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Spring weather is favorable to cornices falls. Even a small cornice can be destructive and harmful. As they are unpredictable, be sure to stay well away from them at all times.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 20th, 2023 3:00PM
