Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 7th, 2023 2:45PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dboucher,
Avalanche Canada
The winter conditions present in the mountains are very different from what we find further down in the valley !
Fresh snow and moderate to strong northwesterly winds have formed new wind slabs, which are to watch at the top of eastern slopes in the alpine.
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
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Snowpack Summary
In the alpine, the windward western slopes have been swept to the crust. The eastern leeward slopes have accumulated 5-10 cm of new dry snow and wind slabs 15-40 cm thick have formed at the top of alpine slopes.
At treeline and below treeline, the 15 to 35 cm of snow above the March 26 crust has become wet and sticky with a brittle surface crust that cannot support the weight of a skier or snowboarder except on solar slopes where the snow has been more affected by radiation.
The middle and the base of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several melt freeze crusts from the last few weeks.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: The building of a high pressure ridge brings light scattered flurries and sunny spells for Saturday.
Friday evening and night: Cloudy with flurries, 1-2 cm, northwesterly winds 40 to 50 km/h, minimum -12 C.
Saturday: Cloudy with light scattered flurries, no precipitation, westerly winds 30 to 40 km/h, maximum -12 C.
Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, no precipitation, northwesterly winds 30 to 50 km/h, maximum -5 C.
Monday: Sunny, no precipitation, northwesterly winds 20 to 30 km/h, maximum +3 C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The new snow (2-3 cm) continues to be moved by the moderate to strong northwesterly winds to form wind slabs of up to 15 to 40 cm at the top of alpine eastern slopes.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 8th, 2023 3:00PM
