Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 15th, 2024 2:30PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bwillard, Avalanche Canada

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The snowpack is extremely variable within the forecast area. At present, it is possible to make a few turns conservatively in some places. Conditions should improve from Wednesday onward.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche was reported or observed. If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations at bulletin@avalanchequebec.ca or on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The distribution of the snow cover is extremely variable, ranging from 5 to 180 cm. In the alpine and at treeline, the southern and eastern slopes are bare of snow due to the strong winds of the last storm. The snow has been redistributed to the north-western and northern slopes. On these slopes, there are windslabs resting on facets that developed on the New Year's crust.

Below tree line, there is between 15 and 80 cm of very dense snow on the ground, making skiing possible in some places. The bottom and natural obstacles, however, remain very close.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: The high pressure system will affect us for another 24 hours before giving way to the next winter storm. We can expect 20 to 30 cm by Friday. Areas further east, such as Murdochville, could receive up to 40 cm.

Monday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Southwest wind, 20 to 30 km/h. Maximum -15C.

Tuesday: Alternating sun and clouds. Snow expected to begin in the evening. Wind south, 10 to 20 km/h. Maximum -10C.

Wednesday: Cloudy. 15 to 20 cm of snow. Wind north, 20 to 30 km/h. Maximum -8C.

Thursday: Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. Wind north, 20 to 30 km/h. Maximum -15C.

For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Watch for areas of hard wind slab on alpine features.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

In some places, we can hear whoumpf when we move. These are the facets (present on the New Year's crust) that are crushing. Windslabs rest on these grains, and tests have shown that it's easy to initiate a fracture in this interface and that it spreads easily. Be careful.

Aspects: North, North East, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Jan 16th, 2024 3:00PM