Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 16th, 2023 2:00PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Loose Wet.

Avalanche Canada jfmichaud, Avalanche Canada

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Weather forecasting is not an exact science!

Most weather models call for freezing rain or ice pellets, but some are more optimistic and still see some snow.

If you are going to the mountains tomorrow and the amounts of ice pellets or snow are greater than expected, revise the danger rating upwards and be careful!

Summary

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

On Sunday, January 15, a small wind slab avalanche triggered by a skier was reported on the MIN.

More and more relevant information is shared by users with the Mountain Information Network. Thank you for contributing to the collection of this valuable data! You can also continue to write to us at info@avalanchequebec.ca.

Snowpack Summary

There is a lot of uncertainty in the weather models about what kind of precipitation will fall in the mountains on Tuesday morning, but snow seems the most unlikely possibility, although some models are seeing a little. Mostly we're likely to get a generalized surface crust of ice and, if we're "lucky," a thin layer of sleet.In the last few days, the alpine and treeline were greatly affected by moderate to strong northeast winds. There are isolated pockets of wind slabs in the lee, but mainly a very hard snow surface compressed by the wind.Windward areas are rock or icy crust.In general, the depth of the snowpack varies from 50 to 100 cm depending on the area and the altitude.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A major low pressure system brings ice pellets and freezing rain to the Chic-ChocsMonday evening and night: Freezing rain. Wind northeast 30 to 50 km/h. Low -7.Tuesday: Intermittent drizzle. Wind northeast 10 to 20 km/h. High -5. Freezing level at 600m. Wednesday: Cloudy. Wind northwest 10 to 20 km/h. High -1. Freezing level at 400m. Thursday: Cloudy. Wind northeast 40 to 60 km/h. High -7. Freezing level at 100m.

For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

This problem will depend on the evolution of the low pressure system. If the freezing rain changes to rain and there is sufficient warmth in the mountains, there could be non-cohesive wet snow avalanches on steep slopes or in extreme terrain.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 17th, 2023 3:00PM