Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 8th, 2023 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 continued to be blown down the mountain on Friday. The problem of isolated wind slabs is therefore still present in the couloirs of Mont Albert.
Despite the low rating, you'll need to remain vigilant if you decide to head into steep, entrenched alpine terrain.
Some areas at the treeline are also beginning to be sufficiently loaded for skiing, but snow cover generally remains below the threshold to produce avalanches at this elevation band.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Early season, observations are limited. Thanks for sharing your observation through the Mountain Information Network if you head out.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported. Please share your observations at bulletin@avalanchequebec.ca or via the Mountain Information Network.
Snowpack Summary
In general, the snowpack remains thin, varying from 30 to 70 cm at mid-mountain. 10 to 25 cm of light snow covers the November 28th crust. The crust is present on all aspects and elevations, but becomes increasingly brittle as it rises in altitude. The wind of the last few days has brought great variability to the mountains. Some areas at the treeline are starting to get loaded enough to ski... but you have to know where to find them.
In the Mount Albert alpine, with its large fetch zone on the summit plateau, areas of maximum loading, depressions and concavities show a thicker, more variable and more complex snowpack.
The summits are bare and exposed to rock or crust.
Weather Summary
Synopsis: Fine weather and warmth on Saturday before the arrival of a warm low-pressure system and possibly a lot of rain from Sunday evening to Monday.
Friday evening and night: Clear. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -12.
Saturday: Sunny. Wind veering southwest 10 to 20 km/h. High -1. Freezing level rising to 450m.
Sunday: Cloudy, possible freezing rain and rain late in the day. Strong south-westerly wind. Maximum 2. Freezing level at 2000m late in the day.
Monday: Rain 50-60 mm. Strong southerly winds. Maximum +8. Freezing level at 2800m.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.
- Avalanche danger is often elevated in alpine gullies where snow has accumulated.
Problems
Wind Slabs
The light snow of the last few days were deposited by winds in the start zones, concavities and terrain depressions of the Mount Albert alpine. Although isolated and small in size, these avalanches could take you to the many obstacles still uncovered at the start of the season. On Thursday, the surface slabs were still reactive to testing. On Friday, wind loading was still observed on the summits. We can expect these new slabs to remain reactive on Saturday.
Aspects: East, South East, South, South West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 9th, 2023 3:00PM
