Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Chic-Chocs, Littoral, Murdochville.
Dry snow still available for transport at high elevations, moderate to strong winds on the summits and warmth will be the drivers of our avalanche problems on Wednesday. Although the rating is dropping in some elevation bands, it is important to remember that with a moderate rating, triggering by a skier is still possible. The new wind slabs still show reactivity when tested. It is essential to know how to identify the signs of instability before venturing onto a slope.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Two avalanches of size 1.5 were reported on March 6th by Ski Chic-Chocs in the couloir de l'aigle and the trois mousquetaires at the Madeleine mines. These were 24 to 36 hours old.
Several small wet loose snow avalanches were observed Tuesday by the field team on the southern slopes of the Madeleine mines
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Snowpack Summary
Near the summits, the wind redistributed the available snow, exposing different crusts, ice, or wind-hardened snow on the surface, and creating a superposition of wind slabs of varying density and thickness on the leeward slopes. This wind also favored the formation of cornices in the Alpine. In the more sheltered areas, the February 17 crust is generally found under 20 to 35 cm of new snow. Warmer temperatures on Tuesday also affected the snowpack. A thin refreezing crust was present above 900 m and the snow was humid below this altitude. It would therefore be possible to find a crust at lower elevations on Wednesday. The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated with the January 18 crust 50-80 cm below the surface.In general, snowpack heights range from 80 to 100 cm in the valley to 110 to 160 cm in the mid-mountain.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: Some residual precipitation following the passage of the low. Tuesday evening and night: Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. Wind northeast, 40 to 60 km/h. Low -2. Freezing level at 350Â mWednesday: Cloudy, light snow possible in the morning, clearing in the afternoon. . Wind northeast, 35 to 45 km/h. Max. -3C. Freezing level at 430Â m. Thursday: Light snow, clearing in the morning. Wind 20 to 40 km/h from the northeast. Max. -4C. Freezing level at 430Â m. Friday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 25 to 45 km/h. Maximum -6. Freezing level at sea level.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
- Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Fresh wind slabs will continue to develop with the contribution of northeast winds. They can be found in leeward loading areas in the alpine and in laterally loaded areas at the treeline. The multiple surfaces on which they rest can provide excellent glide planes. These still show good propagation potential in tests.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2.5
Loose Wet
The forecasted heat could moisten and destabilize the surface snow at low altitude, at the treeline and below the treeline, particularly on southern aspects. The sun, if it comes out at the end of the day, could accelerate the problem and could even affect the steep southern slopes in the alpine.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.
Likelihood: Possible - Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2