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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Dec 24th, 2022–Dec 25th, 2022
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be moderate
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be moderate
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low
Alpine
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be low
Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be low
Below Treeline
1: Low
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be low

Regions: Chic-Chocs.

Conditions are extremely different according to the elevation.

Watch for wind-loaded features as you move through open terrain above 650 m.

Have a Happy and safe Holiday! 🎅

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Avalanche Quebec field team has observed live an avalanche in motion on a north-easterly slope at treeline. This small slab was triggered naturally by the intense wind loading on the upper slopes.

Please continue to share your observations at [email protected], or with the Mountain Information Network. It helps strengthen our data gathering.

Snowpack Summary

The weather bomb left 25-35 mm of precipitation in all forms: rain, ice pellet, and snow. Below 650 m, 3-5 cm of light snow overlies the impressive crust (2 cm thick) formed by the thaw cycle and rain event of December 23. Above 650 m, heavy storm snow has piled on sheltered slopes from extreme southerly winds. The surface of windward alpine slopes are showing crust or bare ground. The average snowpack height is still very thin, averaging around 25 cm in the valley to 65 cm at mid-mountain.Despite the fresh snow supply, snow conditions remain hazardous. Crust and obstacles such as rocks, stumps, trees and trunks can still be found barely buried under this white blanket.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits. A vicious cold front is sweeping across the region Saturday and Sunday. An unsettled westerly flow will persist early next week, with additional light flurries and moderate to strong southwest winds.

Saturday night and evening: Lingering flurries. Southwest winds 40 km/h. Low of -16C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday: A mix of sun and clouds. Isolated flurries. Southwest winds 40 km/h. High of -12CMonday: A mix of sun and clouds. Isolated flurries. Westerly winds 40 km/h. High of -14C.

Tuesday: Mainly cloudy. Isolated flurries. Southwesterly winds 40 km/h, gusting 60 km/h. High of -16C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent new snow may be hiding windslabs that were easily visible before the snow fell.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Closely monitor how the new snow is bonding to the old surface.
  • Back off if you encounter whumpfing, hollow sounds, or shooting cracks.

Avalanche Problems

Wind Slabs

Reactive wind slabs have developed on northerly terrain due to sustained winds. Human triggering is possible on wind-loaded and cross-loaded features. Watch for signs of instability like whumpfing, hollow sounds, shooting cracks or recent avalanches.

Aspects: North, North East, East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood: Possible - Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2