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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 22nd, 2022–Dec 23rd, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

The likelihood of triggering avalanches will increase as winds will impact the surface snow.

With early season conditions, even a small avalanche could have serious consequences.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported. Please continue to share your observations at [email protected], or with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

In general, 10 to 20 cm of low-density snow is found in wind-sheltered areas. On leeward slopes, this new snow overlies a hard surface or wind-affected snow. The thick December 8 crust is buried down 20-50 cm. This crust supports a skier's weight... and even more! The average snowpack height is still very thin, averaging around 50 to 65 cm at mid-mountain.Despite the fresh snow supply, snow conditions remain hazardous. Crust and obstacles such as rocks, stumps, trees and trunks can still be found barely buried under this white blanket.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits. The region will remain under the influence of a high-pressure ridge on Thursday night. A major weather system coming from the Great Lakes will move on Friday and extreme winds are forecasted. A wintery mix of precipitation is planned for Friday night to Saturday morning.

Thursday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Light northwest winds veering southeast. Low of -12C.Friday: Increasing cloudiness. Southeasterly winds increasing all day and gusting 100 km/h. High of -2C. Snow starting late in pm. 20-25 cm overnight. Freezing level at 500 m overnight. Short period of possible rain at night.

Saturday: Snow up to 5 cm. Southwest winds 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. High of -6C. Freezing level back to the valley bottom.

Sunday: Lingering flurries. A mix of sun and clouds. Southwest winds 40 km/h gusting to 60 km/h. High of -12C. Freezing level at the valley bottom.For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Recent wind has varied in direction so watch for wind slabs on all aspects.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Fresh wind slabs will likely form throughout the day, diligently watch for changing conditions.

Problems

Wind Slabs

Wind Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) formed by the wind. Wind typically transports snow from the upwind sides of terrain features and deposits snow on the downwind side. Wind slabs are often smooth and rounded and sometimes sound hollow, and can range from soft to hard. Wind slabs that form over a persistent weak layer (surface hoar, depth hoar, or near-surface facets) may be termed Persistent Slabs or may develop into Persistent Slabs.