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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 3rd, 2023–Mar 4th, 2023

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

Wind slabs continue to develop and will be particularly to watch during the weekend. They are found at the top of eastern slopes (NE-E-SE) in the alpine and in cross loaded areas at the treeline. Even small, their triggering by a skier or snowboarder could have serious consequences as a result of an uncontrolled slide on the ice and towards obstacles lower on the slope.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

A small wind slab avalanche was accidentally triggered by a skier on March 2 on a cross loaded east slope at Mount Craggy in the Mont Blanc area. One person was involved and no serious injuries or consequences were reported. To view the report: https://rb.gy/d5tenu

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

Near the summits, the wind has redistributed the available snow, exposing the crust or ice at the surface and creating an overlay of hard wind slabs. In more sheltered areas, the February 17 crust is usually found under 15 to 30 cm of low density snow. Facetted grains are slowly developing on this crust. The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, with the January 18 crust down 40 to 70 cm below the surface. At the base of the snowpack, there is a bread of laminated crusts with decomposing snow.

In general, the height of the snow cover varies from 70 to 90 cm in the valley to 100 to 150 cm in the middle mountains.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure is moving over the region to bring sunshine throughout the weekend.

Friday evening and night: A few clouds, no precipitation, northwesterly winds 30 to 40 km/h, minimum -17 C.

Saturday: Mainly sunny, no precipitation, northwesterly winds 30 to 40 km/h, maximum -7 C.

Sunday: Sunny, no precipitation, northwesterly winds 50 to 70 km/h, maximum -10 C.

Monday: Snow, 15-20 cm, northwesterly winds 40 to 60 km/h, maximum -6 C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • 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.