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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 16th, 2023–Feb 17th, 2023

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

The drier snow in the Alpine was probably more easily transported by the wind.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

A slab avalanche of unknown size was accidentally triggered Thursday on the north slope of Mount Matawees in the Matane Wildlife Reserve.

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 [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

During Thursday's thaw, the precipitation turned to snow above 500 m while below this altitude, it turned to rain. The new snow (7 cm of moist snow measured at 700 m) rests on a thin, often inconspicuous crust overlying the powdery snow received in the last week. Below the treeline, the snowpack depth on the January 18 crust is about 50-60 cm.

In the alpine, strong westerly winds will have blown the new snow onto leeward slopes. These accumulations lie directly on the crust, or on previously wind hardened surfaces. A great deal of spatial variability can be expected. Travel will remain very challenging.In general, the height of the snow cover will vary from 70 to 90 cm in the valley to 100 to 150 cm in the mid-mountains.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A small low pressure system passing over Nova Scotia will bring some snow Thursday night and Friday.

Thursday night and overnight: Cloudy. Flurries (1 to 2 cm). Wind northwest 35 to 60 km/h. Low -13.

Friday: Cloudy. Flurries (2 to 4 cm) Wind north 20 to 30 km/h. High -12.

Saturday: Some sunny spells. Traces of snow. Wind southwest 15 to 30 km/h. High -12.

Sunday: A few sunny spells. Snow flurries (1 cm). Wind southwest 30 to 55 kph. High -12.For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.