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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 2nd, 2024–Feb 3rd, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

There was very little wind effect on the new snow in the mountains on Friday. The wind is set to pick up slightly on Saturday and could have the potential to create new wind slabs, particularly in the alpine.

Watch out for signs of recent loading.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche was reported or observed. If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

The new snow (around 10cm) covers a wide variability of wind-affected snow in the alpine. There is significantly more snow on the eastern slopes. The other slopes are mostly clear of snow, apart from couloirs and other depressions.

At and below treeline, in areas protected from the wind, 15 to 25 cm of low-density snow cover a layer of dense snow. The latter rests on 2 to 10 cm of facetted grains that have developed on top of the New Year's Day melt-freeze crust layer. At these altitudes, the best snow is found on the northern slopes.

The average height of the snowpack is approximately 100 cm, but varies greatly according to aspect and elevation.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: A high-pressure ridge brings us sunshine for the weekend

Friday evening and night: Cloudy. Wind north, 10 to 20 km/h. Low -14.

Saturday: Clear in the morning. Light northerly wind, 15 to 25 km/h. High -12.

Sunday: Sunny. Moderate north-easterly wind. High -11

Monday: Cloudy, light snow. Strong northeast wind. High -13.

For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Even a small avalanche can be harmful if it pushes you into an obstacle or a terrain trap.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.

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.