Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Jan 18th, 2023 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jfmichaud,
Avalanche Canada
Some snow in Thursday's forecast, but not enough to erase the effects of the crust.
Keep in mind that travel will remain difficult and that the crust can provide an excellent sliding surface for avalanches.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
The deposit of a size 2 natural avalanche, possibly caused by a cornice fall, was observed by the field team at the base of the Frigo, in the very steep sectors of the mur des Patrouilleurs. This was 24 to 48 hours old.
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Snowpack Summary
By the end of the day on Thursday, 5 to 10 cm of new snow is expected in the mountains. This snow will be strongly displaced throughout the day by strong northwest winds. This snow will be deposited on a very firm icy crust in the alpine and on a more friable crust, which breaks under the weight of a skier, at and below the treeline. It goes without saying that travel in the alpine and on steep terrain will be perilous. The snowpack is still thin and the consequences of slipping on these icy surfaces could be fatal. Spatial variability is important, from rock to ice to areas of greater accumulation. Generally speaking, the thickness of the snow cover varies from 50 to 100 cm depending on the sector and the altitude.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Wednesday evening and night: Snow, 2 to 5 cm. Wind northwest 50 to 70 km/h. Low -7.
Thursday: Snow, 2 to 5 cm. Wind northwest 30 to 50 km/h. High -10.
Friday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind southeast 30 to 50 km/h. High -6.
Saturday: Sunny. Wind northwest 10 to 20 km/h. High -6
For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Depending on the amount of snow received, we could see a more or less important problem of wind slabs on leeward aspects on Thursday. These will form in start zones of couloirs, under convexities and in laterally loaded areas. The adhesion of these slabs to the underlying crust could be poor. On these icy surfaces, even a small avalanche could cause you to lose your footing and go into an uncontrolled slide.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Jan 19th, 2023 3:00PM
