Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 18th, 2026–Apr 19th, 2026

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Alpine

Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.

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.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Chic-Chocs.

Rain, temperatures above 0 °C, and the absence of overnight freezing will destabilize the surface snow, continuing to increase the risk of wet loose snow avalanches. The danger will be greatest at the onset of precipitation. Avoid steep slopes in alpine terrain and monitor changing conditions.

Confidence

High

We have a good understanding of the snowpack structure and confidence in the weather forecast.

Avalanche Summary

Several small, naturally triggered wet loose snow avalanches (size 1) were observed on south-facing slopes, particularly on steeper sections and near rocky areas.

A size 2 wet loose snow avalanche with a point release was also observed at the " mur des patrouilleurs ", below the Serpentine couloir. The suspected trigger was a cornice collapse (Nc), as fragments were observed in the deposit.

All of these were between 12 and 24 hours old.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The surface snow will be unstable. Warm temperatures and rain will significantly reduce the depth of the snowpack, increasingly exposing surface features.

At mid-mountain elevations, the average snowpack depth is approximately 130 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

A low-pressure system will bring rain. As the system moves through, temperatures will drop below freezing and the rain will turn to snow.

Saturday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Southerly winds of 20 to 60 km/h with gusts up to 80 km/h. Low of 0 °C.

Sunday: Rainy, with up to 10 mm of accumulation, then snow overnight, with 10 to 20 cm of accumulation. Southerly winds of 30 to 60 km/h. High of 6 °C. Freezing level dropping from 3,000 to 150 m throughout the day.

Monday: Partly sunny. West wind 20 to 40 km/h. High of -5 °C.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. West wind 20 km/h. High of -3 °C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

The first few hours of rain will likely be the most dangerous period.
Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.