Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Mar 21st, 2023 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
cwild,
Avalanche Canada
Remember that even with a low avalanche danger rating, it is possible to have size 2 avalanches in isolated areas or in extreme terrain.
Take some time to get familiar with the changes of the past few days and to build your confidence in the snowpack before committing to high consequence terrain.
If you go out in the mountains, please share your observations of the conditions with other users on the Mountain Information Network
Summary
Confidence
High
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches were observed or reported.
Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at bulletin@avalanchequebec.ca.
Snowpack Summary
In the alpine and on open features, the snow from the weekend has been transported, leaving various wind affected surfaces (soft and hard slabs, sastrugi, ice, pressed snow). In sheltered areas, 10 to 25 cm of low density snow cover the March 18 melt freeze crust, observed at all altitudes. Below 500m, a thin melt freeze crust is perceptible on the surface, due to the mild temperatures of Monday and Tuesday.
Even at high altitude, the radiation had a limited effect, Tuesday. Meaning that on solar slopes, a thin crust is perceptible on the surface.
The mid-snowpack is well consolidated and right side up. The base of the snow pack is composed of laminated crusts. In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 90 to 110 cm in the valley to 130 to 180 cm at treeline.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: Squalls and a weak low pressure system will bring negligible amounts of snow overnight and Wednesday.
Tuesday night and overnight: Mostly cloudy. 1 to 2 cm of snow. Winds from 35 to 45 km/h from the northwest. Min. -18C.
Wednesday: Alternating sun and clouds. 1 to 2 cm of snow. Winds from 40 to 50 km/h from the northwest. Max. -16C.
Thursday: Cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. Winds from 30 to 40 km/h from the south. Max. -7C.
Friday: Cloudy. 8 to 12 cm of snow. Winds from 60 to 70 km/h from the southeast. Max. -10C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
- Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
Problems
Wind Slabs
Snow transport was observed in the alpine on Tuesday.
Although, at treeline, the problem is isolated, pay particular attention to the start zones, couloirs and cross loaded slopes. The wind slab interface of the last few days rests on the melt freeze crust of March 18, a small avalanche could step down to this crust, increasing the size of the event.
Aspects: North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Mar 22nd, 2023 3:00PM
