Avalanche Forecast

Thursday, small loose wet avalanches were observed on steep south-easterly alpine slopes on Mont Albert. Old evidence of larger loose wet avalanches (up to size 2) was also observed in the same vicinity.

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The warm weather, rain, and lack of significant refreeze at night have greatly affected snow conditions on all aspects and at all elevations. Wet snow can be found at the surface (and up to 30 cm deep), making travel conditions rather sticky and slow (mashed potatoes snow), especially at treeline and below. In the alpine, a slight melt-freeze cycle occurred, generating corn snow conditions even on northern slopes. Melting is happening fast and the height of snow varies from 50 cm (valley) to 130 cm (mid-mountain).

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A new ridge of high-pressure building over northern Quebec and Labrador will support mainly sunny skies, above-freezing temperatures and moderate northwest winds.Thursday evening and night: Cloudy. Light rain/snow. Strong northwest wind gusting 70 km/h. Alpine low of -5 C. Freezing level lowers to 700 m. Friday: A mix of sun and clouds. No precipitation. Moderate northwest wind, gusting 50 km/h. Alpine high of -4 C. Freezing level around 700 m, but lowering to the valley bottom at night.Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods. No precipitation. Light southwest at 15 km/h. Alpine high of +1. Freezing level rises to 1000 m during the day and up to 2000 m at night.

Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods. No precipitation. Moderate southwest wind, gusting 40 km/h. Alpine high of +6 C. Freezing level steady around 2500 m.

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

• The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
• A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
• Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
• Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.