Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Jan 20th, 2023 3:30PM

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

Avalanche Canada jpgagnon, Avalanche Canada

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Travel will continue to be difficult on steep terrain because the rain crust is not yet buried deep enough.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

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Snowpack Summary

The 10 cm of snow received since the slight thaw at the beginning of the week covers the rain crust of January 18 which can be very thick (up to 9 cm) in some areas! This snow was moved by moderate northwest winds on Thursday and northeast winds on Friday. The soft wind slabs up to 20 cm thick that formed at the treeline seem to us to have little reaction. As for those in the alpine, since we have no recent observations, we can only assume that they are thicker. Below the tree line, the new snow greatly reduces the feeling of skiing on glass.

Needless to say, travel in the alpine and on steep terrain is still perilous. With the snowpack still thin and many obstacles not yet covered, a slip on these icy surfaces could be disastrous. Spatial variability is important, from rock to ice to areas of greater accumulation. Generally speaking, the thickness of the snow cover varies from 50 to 100 cm depending on the sector and the altitude.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Friday evening and night: Cloudy. Traces of snow. Wind northeast 20 to 40 km/h. Low -14.

Saturday: Sunny. Wind northwest 10 to 20 km/h. High -9.

Sunday: Cloudy with sunny periods. Wind southwest 10 to 20 km/h. Traces of snow. High -10.

Monday: Cloudy. 5 cm of snow. Light wind variable direction. High -7.

For more details check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

You should check the stability of the wind slabs on the January 18 rain crust before venturing out.

Aspects: East, South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Jan 21st, 2023 3:00PM