Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 18th, 2022 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
jfmichaud,
Avalanche Canada
Snow for the Chic-Chocs! There could be a good variability in the amount of snow received across our forecast area.
If you find yourself in a location with more precipitation than expected, take advantage of it! But remember, it's still early season!
Getting out on the mountain? We need your observations! https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported. Please share your observations at info@avalanchequebec.ca, or with the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
On Monday morning, we could already find 5 to 10 cm of new snow on the Chic-Chocs. The snow should continue to accumulate throughout the day until Tuesday morning. The easternmost sectors of our forecast area are likely to see the heaviest accumulations.On the lee aspects, this new snow will cover the 15 to 30 cm already accumulated on the December 8 crust. In some areas where the loading was heavier, up to 100 cm of snow accumulated on this crust. The strong to extreme northeasterly winds of the last few weather systems have already greatly redistributed the snow, exposing the rock or crust on the windward slopes and this trend will continue with this new depression.Despite the fresh snow, snow conditions will remain minimal. Remember that crust and obstacles such as rocks, stumps, trees and trunks can still be found barely buried under this beautiful white carpet.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
A low-pressure system will remain quasi-stationary over the Maritimes and will bring snow to the Chic-Chocs from Sunday evening until Tuesday. Areas northeast of Highway 299 will be favoured by precipitation. The coastline could see a few episodes of mixed precipitation. Sunday night and overnight: Snow, 5 to 10 cm. Wind northeast, 40 to 70 km/h. High -3. Freezing level at 200 m.Monday: Snow, 10 to 15 cm. Wind northeast, 50 to 70 km/h. High -3. Freezing level at 250 m. Tuesday: Intermittent snow, 2 to 3 cm. Wind northeast, 20 to 40 km/h. High -4Wednesday: Cloudy. Wind south 10-20 km/h. High -5.
For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
- Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The new snow, carried by the strong northeast wind, will load the leeward slopes and form new wind slabs. Strong, even extreme alpine winds will tend to isolate these slabs below breaks in the terrain, convexities and on laterally loaded slopes. These new wind slabs could rest on wind-affected snow or directly on the crust or rocks. The hazard rating for this issue will increase throughout the day as precipitation is received.
Aspects: South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 19th, 2022 3:00PM
