Wednesday is a typical spring scenario. Avalanche danger and problems will vary depending on the elevation and time of day.
At this time of year, conditions are dynamic and change rapidly. Carefully assess your line before committing to it.
Summary
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
At the time of publication, no new avalanches had been observed or reported.
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Snowpack Summary
Warm temperatures and rain, combined with the drop of the freezing level and a bit of new snow, create variable conditions in the mountains. In general, the snowpack is melting fast, and the ground is exposed, in places, mainly at and below the treeline. Above the freezing level, colder temperatures have created a widespread crust. Some pockets of new, heavier snow, might be found on some features. Below the freezing level, snow conditions are rather sticky and slow (looted potato snow). In the absence of a nightly refreeze, the snowpack becomes progressively more fragile, wetter and less cohesive, and the forecasted rain will only accentuate the weakening of the snowpack and the cornices. The height of the snow cover varies between 20 cm (valley) and 110 cm (mid-mountain).
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: The centre of the low pressure system that has been affecting the Chic-Chocs for the past two days will pass to the west of the region, causing the freezing levels to drop.
Tuesday evening and night: Cloudy. Mix of rain and snow. Winds 25 to 35 km/h from the west quadrants. Min. -1C. Freezing level at 750 m.
Wednesday: Cloudy. Mix of rain and snow ending in AM. Winds from 15 to 25 km/h from the southwest. Temperatures around 0C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Trace of snow. Winds from 20 to 25 km/h from the northwest. Max. -3C.
Friday: Cloudy. No precipitation. Winds from 5 to 10 km/h from the southwest. Max. -3C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
- The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
- If triggered loose wet avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Problems
Loose Wet
The freezing level going from 3000m to 750m, before going back up to 1000m maintains the possibility of wet snow avalanches being triggered depending on the time of day. Keep in mind that wet avalanches can easily push you into undesirable obstacles or terrain traps.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Cornices
Spring weather is favorable to cornices falls. Even a small cornice can be destructive and harmful. As they are unpredictable, be sure to stay well away from them at all times.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wet Slabs
The rain forecasted will fall on an already weakened snowpack. Although the possibility of an avalanche being triggered is low, the consequences of such an avalanche would be enormous. These types of avalanches are much more difficult to predict than loose wet avalanches and involve deeply buried layers in the mid and lower snowpack.
Aspects: All aspects.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 19th, 2023 3:00PM
