Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 30th, 2023 2:00PM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada jleblanc, Avalanche Canada

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Yet another round of snow will keep wintry conditions for Friday.

Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure in the afternoon.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations were reported or observed in the last 24 hours

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Snowpack Summary

As of Thursday afternoon, light snow is being added to the recent snow (10-15 cm) received at higher elevations since the last weekend. In the alpine and treeline, these accumulations bond well to a solid underlying crust. Winds, light until now, have already picked up and will redistribute the fresh snow onto lee slopes. Below treeline, the mild temperature of the last past days is favouring the rapid settlement of the recent snow. A melt-freeze crust overlies 20 cm of denser snow. This crust is slightly less noticeable in northern aspects. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several crusts of refreeze from the last few weeks.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A low-pressure system from the Great Lakes will bring snow and increasing winds Thursday night. Another round of snow is expected over the weekend.Thursday evening and night: Flurries. Heavy at times. Local amount up to 10 cm. Moderate northwest winds gusting 40 km/h. Low of -8 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.Friday: Isolated flurries, then clearing in the afternoon. Light westerly winds up to 30 km/h. High -5 C. Freezing level rising at valley bottom.Saturday: Cloudy. Snow starting by mid-day. Local amount 10-15 cm. Moderate southerly winds gusting 40 km/h. High of -2 C. Freezing level rising to 500m.

Sunday: Isolated flurries. Moderate westerly winds gusting 50 km/. High of -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • Minimize your exposure time below cornices.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Increasing winds and unconsolidated snow will likely develop reactive wind slabs in the immediate lee of alpine features and on cross-loaded areas. As recent wind has varied in direction, watch for wind slabs on all aspects. Be careful on steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features, where wind slabs are more likely to get triggered.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 31st, 2023 3:00PM

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