Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 13th, 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 jfmichaud, Avalanche Canada

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Chic-Chocs, Littoral, Murdochville.

Although the alpine is generally crusted or hardened, isolated wind slabs can still be found. Be careful near areas that appear to be freshly loaded. These slabs may rest directly on a crust that can provide an excellent sliding surface.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported.

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Snowpack Summary

The 20 to 25 cm of light snow of the last week was greatly blown and redistributed by the wind. In the alpine, many surfaces were eroded to the January 18th crust. There is a great deal of spatial variability, with the possibility of isolated pockets of larger accumulations in the usual loading locations.Below the treeline, 50-60 cm of less wind-affected snow can be found on top of the decaying January 18th crust.In general, snowpack heights range from 70-90 cm in the valley to 100-150 cm in the mid-mountain.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: Weak low pressure overnight before the sun returns late Tuesday morningMonday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Wind southeast, 5 to 10 km/h. Low -18.Tuesday: Clearing midday. Wind northwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -10 C.Wednesday: Cloudy. Wind southwest, 40 to 60 km/h. High -2. Freezing level at 300 mThursday: Snow, 5 to 7 cm. Chance of freezing rain. Wind northwest, 40 to 60 km/h. High -3. Freezing level at 650 m.

For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs can be found in the alpine and at treeline, in areas of heavy loading, such as couloir start zones, under breaks in the terrain or in laterally loaded areas. Since many of the surfaces were previously icy, the adhesion on them may not be very good.

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

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Feb 14th, 2023 3:00PM

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