Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Feb 19th, 2024 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jfmichaud,
Avalanche Canada
Even if the rating is low, it doesn't guarantee absence of avalanche danger. Unstable wind slabs might persist in isolated spots, possibly sitting atop a crust ideal for sliding.
Be vigilant for indications of recent loading.
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches reported or observed.
If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Snowpack height is highly variable across the zone, and wind effects are strong in the alpine and at the treeline.
In areas sheltered from the wind, you can find between 10 and 20 cm of very low density snow. Sectors closer to the north coast were favoured.
Below 500m altitude, this new snow rests on a refreezing crust that had formed on Monday. The crust thickens and hardens as we lose altitude. On sunny slopes, the crust is present up to 1000m. On sunny alpine slopes, the crust is very firm, and ski crampons are essential. A thin layer of facetted grains is developing on this crust.
The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, resting on the December 30 combo of facetted grains and crust. Facetted grains and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.
The average height is around 100 cm.
Weather Summary
Synopsis: The cold, rather dry weather continues until Wednesday, when we'll be treated to milder temperatures in the mountains.
Monday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Wind northwest 20-40 km/h. Low -22.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Wind northwest, 25 to 45 km/h. High -20.
Wednesday: Sunny. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -6.
Thursday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind southwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -2. Freezing level at 500m.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
- Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
Problems
Wind Slabs
In general, in the alpine region, the snow has remained dry and of low density, and has not formed cohesive slabs on the surface. However, it is possible to find pockets of denser wind slabs resting directly on a firm refreezing crust on which facetted grains have developed, offering an excellent gliding surface.
You're likely to encounter this problem in couloir start zones, under convexities and in laterally-loaded depressions.
Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Feb 20th, 2024 3:00PM
