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Archived

Avalanche Forecast

Jan 25th, 2023–Jan 26th, 2023
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
Treeline
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating at treeline will be considerable
Below Treeline
2: Moderate
The avalanche danger rating below treeline will be moderate
Alpine
3: Considerable
The avalanche danger rating in the alpine will be considerable
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

Regions: Chic-Chocs.

The stability of the snowpack will deteriorate as the day progresses. Expect a natural avalanche cycle. Aim for low-risk terrain, without exposure to overhead hazards.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

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 [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

25 to 35 cm of new snow will accumulate over the course of the day, reaching, at times, a rate of several centimetres per hour. These major new accumulations will be affected by strong to extreme winds, which could create a wide variety of surfaces, ranging from hard slabs to scoured down to the crust in the alpine, and lighter density snow or soft slabs in sheltered areas, or below treeline. This will sit on the few accumulations of the last couple of days, and the January 18th ice formation crust, which is decomposing in some places. In open areas below the treeline, this new snow will overly a thin layer of surface hoar, which was mainly observed on the SW, S, SE, E aspects.

Below the January 18th crust is a generally well settled 15 to 20 cm of snow, resting on the facet from the decomposition of the January 2nd melt freeze crust. This interface sits on a mix of laminated crusts and facets.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A low-pressure system passes over the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, bringing intense precipitations and extreme winds.

Wednesday evening and night: Increasing clouds. 1-2 cm of snow. Winds from the southwest increasing from 15 to 60 km/h. Min. -15. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Thursday: Cloudy. 25 to 35 cm of snow. Southeast winds around 75 with gusting up to 130 km/h. Temperatures up to -3 in the evening, with a possible increase of the freezing level to 500m at the end of the day.

Friday: Clearing by midday. Trace of snow. Wind from the northwest from 40 to 65 km/h. Max. -16C.

Saturday: Cloudy. 2-3 cm of snow in the afternoon. Wind from the southwest from 65 to 100 km/h. Max. -10C.

For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Loose avalanches may start small but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.
  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.

Avalanche Problems

Storm Slabs

The intense rate of accumulations, along with strong to extreme winds, will create reactive storm slabs on the January 18th ice formation crust.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1.5 - 3

Loose Dry

Dry loose snow avalanches are likely on convex and steeper features at treeline and below.

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Treeline, Below Treeline.

Likelihood: Likely

Expected Size: 1 - 2