Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 22nd, 2023 3:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jpgagnon, Avalanche Canada

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Some precipitations are expected early in the week, but the biggest danger right now is the ice crust found at all elevations.

If you are going out on the mountain, make sure you have the right gear.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have 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 bulletin@avalanchequebec.ca.

Snowpack Summary

Little change since Sunday. 5 to 10 cm of low density snow covers the January 18 ice crust, which can be very thick (up to 9 cm) in some areas! In the alpine and at tree line, this snow has been redistributed by the northwest winds of the past couple days, exposing this icy surface in many places. Below the tree line, the new snow greatly reduces the feeling of skiing on glass, although in many places the crust does not quite support the weight of a skier. If your skis were to go below the crust, the thickness and rigidity of it could cause an injury.

It goes without saying that travelling in the alpine and on steep terrain is still adventurous. Many obstacles are still not covered, increasing the consequences of a slide on the ice. In the alpine, snow surface go from exposed rocks, to ice, to areas of greater accumulation. In general, the heights of the snowpack vary from 50 to 100 cm depending on the sector and the altitude.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: The Chic-Chocs find themselves in a saddle point, which means a dead spot between two lows where there are little or no precipitations.

Sunday evening and night: Mostly cloudy. 1-2 cm of snow. Southwest winds from 35 to 50 km/h. Min. -12C

Monday: Partly sunny. Trace of snow. North winds from 10 to 20 km/h. Max. -10C.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. 3-5 cm of snow. Wind from the northwest, from 40 to 50 km/h. Max. -12.

Wednesday: Clearing in PM. Isolated flurries. Northwest winds around 60 km/h decreasing in the afternoon. Max. -20C

For more details check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Accumulations from snow transport may not bond well to the very icy crust.

Aspects: South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 23rd, 2023 3:00PM

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