In the absence of overnight refreezing, the heat and intense solar radiation will continue to affect the snow to quickly transform it and destabilize the snowpack.
Such conditions are favourable to cornice falls and the triggering of wet loose avalanches, which are particularly to watch for on steep slopes on solar aspects.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche has been observed or reported.
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Snowpack Summary
In the absence of a refreeze during the night, the heat and intense solar radiation will continue to rapidly transform the snow to soak it with water and continue the accelerated melting of the snowpack. More and more places are now snow-free, mostly at and below treeline, where conditions are pretty minimal.
Snowpack heights range from 0 cm (valley) to 95 cm (mid-mountain) and there is a sustained decrease of about 10 cm per day.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure over the region will keep the weather clear for the next few days.
Saturday evening and night: A few clouds, no precipitation, southeasterly winds 10 to 20 km/h, minimum +4 C, freezing level at 2500 m.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud becoming sunny in the afternoon, no precipitation, southeasterly winds 20 to 30 km/h, maximum +8 C, freezing level at 2700 m.
Monday: Sunny, no precipitation, southeasterly winds 10 to 20 km/h, maximum +7 C, freezing level at 2300 m.
Tuesday: Sunny, no precipitation, southeasterly winds 15 to 30 km/h, maximum +6 C, freezing level at 1500 m.For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches
Problems
Cornices
The spring weather conditions, in particular in the absence of overnight refreezing, contribute to weakening the cornices. Even small, a cornice fall can be destructive with serious consequences. Since they are very unpredictable, it is best to stay away from them at all times.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Loose Wet
The heat and the intense solar radiation will promote the triggering of small loose wet snow avalanches, in particular on the steep slopes on solar aspects.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 23rd, 2023 3:00PM
