Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 27th, 2023 2:00PM

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

Avalanche Canada jfmichaud, Avalanche Canada

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Mild temperatures seem to have helped stabilize the wind slabs, but we remind you that avalanches were triggered by skiers on Sunday in the Mount Albert alpine.

With a low rating, smaller avalanches in isolated or extreme terrain are still possible.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche observations reported or observed.

Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at bulletin@avalanchequebec.ca.

Snowpack Summary

Since Saturday, we have received between 10 and 15 cm of new snow. Although we have had a few episodes of moderate southerly winds, these seem to have had little effect on snow distribution and winds have been light since. In the alpine, on the northern slopes, this new snow is resting directly on a thick crust. This new snow seems to be well adhered, most of the time, to this crust. On solar aspects, a thin crust of refreeze will be seen in this snow interface. At and below the treeline, in areas protected from the wind, the new snow rests on a thin refreezing crust, followed by 10 to 20 cm of slightly denser snow that rests on the March 18 crust. The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several refreezing crusts from the last few weeks.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: Light instabilities bringing light precipitation and light windsMonday night and overnight: Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. Wind north 5 to 10 km/h. Low -7. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Trace of snow. Wind 10 to 15 km/h from the northwest. Max. -4C. Freezing level at 550m. Wednesday: Cloudy, light snow. Wind 5 to 10 km/h from the southwest. Max. 1. Freezing level at 550m. Thursday: Snow. Wind 10 to 30 km/h from the southeast. Max -1. Freezing level at 250m.

For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for wind-loaded pockets especially around ridgecrest and in extreme terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Highmark or enter your line well below ridge crests to avoid wind loaded pillows.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Mild temperatures have allowed wind slabs to stabilize, but it would still be possible to find isolated slabs that have not adhered as well to the underlying crust, especially on the less heat-exposed north slopes.

Aspects: North, North East, East, West, North West.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 28th, 2023 3:00PM

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