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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 1st, 2023–Feb 2nd, 2023

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

A persistent slab problem seems to be emerging in the Chic-chocs. These are particularly difficult to predict and identify.

Be extra careful in the mountains.

Not only can the cold weather accentuate this problem, but it can also greatly aggravate the consequences of an avalanche accident.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 avalanche accidentally triggered by a skier on Mount Logan was reported yesterday on MIN: https://avalanche.ca/map?panel=mountain-information-network-submissions/bbe4140f-a1da-11ed-9ab2-1e4d977c200f

Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

In the mountains, in areas sheltered from the wind, we find 10 to 15 cm of very light snow that rests either on the January 18 crust or on 20 to 50 cm of slightly heavier snow that rests on the January 18 crust. The best conditions are found below the treeline and near the trees line at the treeline.A great deal of spatial variability is present in the alpine and at the treeline, ranging from soft slabs on the surface, to wind-affected snow, to crust, to rock.Facetted grains have developed on and under the January 18 crust, with more and more test results showing reactivity on this crustThe bottom of the snowpack is composed of a laminate of decaying crusts and facetted grains. In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 60 to 80 cm in the valley to 100 to 140 cm at mid-mountain.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: Snow expected Thursday night as an intense cold front passes through. Wednesday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Wind northwest, 30 to 50 km/h. Low -24.Thursday: Alternating sun and clouds, snow in the evening and night, 5 to 10 cm. Wind southwest, 30 to 40 km/h, increasing overnight. High -15.Friday: Clearing in the morning. Wind northwest, 50 to 80 km/h. High -29Saturday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 50 to 90 km/h. High -22.

For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Be especially cautious near rock outcroppings, on steep convexities and anywhere the snowpack feels thinner than average.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.

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.