Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 11th, 2023 2:45PM

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

Avalanche Canada cwild, Avalanche Canada

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The snow of the last few days makes for good skiing.

If you venture into the alpine and at treeline, keep an eye out for wind slabs.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.

More and more relevant information is shared by users with the Mountain Information Network. Thank you for contributing to the collection of this valuable data! You can also continue to write to us at info@avalanchequebec.ca.

Snowpack Summary

In sheltered areas, 20 to 30 centimetres of low density snow overlies the crust. In the alpine, at treeline and on exposed features, this snow has been redistributed, leaving a variety of wind-affected surfaces (soft slabs, hard slabs, sastrugi, scoured down to the crust). This new snow does not yet adhere well to the crust, which could make it difficult to travel in the alpine, as well as on steeper features. Crampons and ice axes are recommended.

The average height of the snowpack is still very thin, and extremely variable from one place to another.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A low-pressure system is slowly moving from the Great Lakes into the region on Thursday afternoon and will leave significant amounts of snow on Friday over the Chic-Chocs.

Wednesday evening and night: Clear. No precipitations. Winds from 30 to 40 km/h from the northwest. Min. -16.

Thursday: Clouds gradually coming in in late afternoon. No precipitations. Light southwest winds increasing to 30 km/h by midday. Max. -10.

Friday: Cloudy. 30 to 40 cm of snow. Easterly winds at 60 km/h gusting up to 100 km/h. Max. -5.

Saturday: Cloudy. Trace of snow. Winds from the north from 40 km/h in AM to 20 km/h at midday. Max. -12

For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Be especially cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

The cold temperatures helped keep the surface snow at a low density and therefore available for transport.

Aspects: North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 12th, 2023 3:00PM