Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 23rd, 2025 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 Avalanche Québec, Avalanche Canada

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Pay particular attention to the start zones, where wind slabs may persist.

If in doubt, opt for a more conservative line, or explore sheltered areas, where the best snow is currently to be found.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches observed or reported in the last 24 hours.

If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

In the Alpine and on exposed features at treeline, the wind has strongly sculpted the landscape, creating great variability. The surface alternates between snowdrifts, hardened surfaces, scoured areas and pockets of lower density snow. In areas sheltered from the wind and below treeline, a few centimetres of fresh snow cover a thin, breakable crust. Beneath this layer, 20 to 40 cm of low-density snow rest on a well-consolidated snowpack. However, where the snowpack is thinner, a fragile layer of facets persists at the base. The height of snow varies between 120 and 220 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS

High pressure approaches, generating fine weather on Monday, before a system brings us more snow than initially forecasted on Monday night.

Sunday evening and night: Cloudy. 1-2 cm of snow. Northwest winds from 25 to 30 km/h. -13C.

Monday: Sunny. Winds from the south at 20 km/h increasing to 60 km/h during the day. -12C.

Tuesday: Cloudy. 10 to 15 cm ending late AM. Winds from the southwest from 50 to 60 km/h. -5C.

Wednesday: Alternating sun and cloud. Northwest winds from 35 to 45 km/h. -10C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Isolated wind slabs of surprising depth can still linger in the start zones. Even if they tend to stabilize, triggering is still possible.

Smaller wind slabs will be more widespread as a result of the new snow and moderate winds expected on Sunday night. Keep an eye on start zones and cross-loaded features.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 2.5

Valid until: Feb 24th, 2025 3:00PM

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