Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Apr 9th, 2023 2:30PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Loose Wet and Wind Slabs.
jfmichaud,
Avalanche Canada
The warm temperatures expected on Monday, along with the presence of a strong spring sun, could destabilize the surface snow and create a problem of wet snow avalanches. This problem will increase as the day warms up. Be especially careful on steep slopes exposed to afternoon sunlight.
Summary
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
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Snowpack Summary
In the Alpine, the western and windward slopes were swept to the crust. In the last few days, the eastern and leeward slopes have been able to accumulate 5 to 10 cm of new snow, and 15 to 50 cm thick wind slabs have formed on the upper alpine slopes.
At treeline and below treeline, a brittle surface crust that cannot support the weight of a skier or snowboarder covers the 15 to 35 cm of snow above the March 26 crust. The surface crust is more solid on the solar aspects, where the snow has been more affected by radiation.
The middle and the base of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several melt freeze crusts from the last few weeks.
Weather Summary
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: The presence of a ridge of high pressure brings sunny and warm weather for Monday. Liquid precipitation is expected on Tuesday. Sunday night and overnight: Partly cloudy. Wind northwest, 30 to 50 km/h. Low -4. Monday: Sunny. Wind west, 25 to 45 km/h. High +6 C. Freezing at 2000 m.Tuesday: Showers. Wind west 30 to 50 km/h. High +3. Freezing level at 1000 m.Wednesday: Rain changing to snow. Wind north 40 to 60 km/h. Maximum 0. Maximum 0. Freezing level at 850m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
- Watch for unstable snow on specific terrain features, especially when the snow is moist or wet.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
- Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
Problems
Loose Wet
Warm temperatures and solar radiation expected in the afternoon on Monday could destabilize the surface snow and create a wet snow avalanche problem. The problem will intensify with the gradual warming of the day and will be more significant on steep south-facing slopes.
Aspects: South East, South, South West.
Elevations: All elevations.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Wind Slabs
Relatively cold temperatures for the season allowed the snow of the last few days to remain dry near the summits and to be moved by the winds, forming isolated wind slabs on the leeward and laterally loaded slopes in the alpine.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Apr 10th, 2023 3:00PM
