Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Mar 6 – 7, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Wed
Thu
Alpine
3 · Considerable
Treeline
2 · Moderate
Below
1 · Low
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Highlights

Winds are creating new reactive wind slabs. Monday's snowfall amounts are highly variable by location, so a thorough field assessment is essential before committing to a more challenging line.

Respect your limits, and when in doubt, be patient and opt for your plan B.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    1–2.5

    New snow, available for transport, is carried by northwest to northeast winds. Keep in mind that with the snow transport, the depth of the wind slabs will be greater than the amount of snow that fell. The surfaces that we currently have in the backcountry, i.e. wind pressed, compacted by the multiple tracks of the last few days, as well as the crust or ice, are all excellent bed surfaces, and the bond between them and the new slabs can be poor.

  • Storm Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    Although snowfall amounts were highly variable, some locations, mostly in the northern part of the forecast area, received close to 25 cm of snow during the last storm. This new snow needs time to stabilize.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported in the last 24 hours.

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

Monday's storm brought variable accumulations. In general, near the summits, the winds have redistributed the available snow, exposing the crusts and ice and creating a superposition of wind slabs of varying density. The winds of the last few days have favoured the formation of cornices in the Alpine. In sheltered areas, the February 17 crust is generally found under 20 to 35 cm of low density snow. Facetted grains are slowly developing on this crust. The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, with the January 18 crust 50 to 80 cm below the surface. The base of the snowpack consists of à layer of laminated crust and decomposing snow.

In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 80 to 100 cm in the valley to 110 to 160 cm in the middle mountains.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: The Chic-Chocs are still under the influence of a major low pressure that will bring uncertain amounts of snow.

Monday night and overnight: Cloudy. 4 to 8 cm of snow. Winds 40 to 50 km/h from the northeast. Min. -3C.

Tuesday: Alternating sun and cloud. 1 to 2 cm of snow. Winds 35 to 50 km/h from the northeast. Max. -10C.

Wednesday: Alternating sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. Winds 35 to 45 km/h from the northeast. Max. -6C.

Thursday: Gradual clearing. Trace of snow. Winds 25 to 35 km/h from the north. Max. -12C.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • The new snow may require another day to settle and stabilize.
  • Give the new snow time to settle and stabilize before pushing into bigger terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.

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