Avalanche Forecast

Two small avalanches were probably triggered on Friday by broken cornices in the extreme section of the Mur des Patrouilleurs on Mount Albert.

More and more relevant information is shared by users with the Mountain Information Network. Thank you for contributing to the collection of this valuable data! You can also continue to write to us at bulletin@avalanchequebec.ca.

Between 5 and 10 cm of snow covered the January 18 ice crust, which could be very thick (up to 9 cm) in some areas! This snow was moved above the tree line by moderate northwest winds on Thursday and northeast winds on Friday, exposing this icy surface in many places. Below the tree line, the new snow greatly reduces the feeling of skiing on glass.

Needless to say, travel in the alpine and on steep terrain is still perilous. With the snowpack still thin and many obstacles not yet covered, a slip on these icy surfaces could be disastrous. Spatial variability is important, from rock to ice to areas of greater accumulation. Generally speaking, the thickness of the snow cover varies from 50 to 100 cm depending on the sector and the altitude.

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Saturday evening and night: Clear. Wind northwest 20 to 30 km/h. Low -16.

Sunday: Cloudy. Wind southwest 15 to 30 km/h. High -10.

Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. 2 cm of snow. Light south wind veering north in the afternoon. High -7.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Chance of snow in the afternoon. Wind northwest 30 to 60 km/h. High -9.

For more details check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

• Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.