Don't let the nice weather affect your decisions. Give some time to the wind slabs formed by strong and sustained winds from varying directions to stabilize.
Aim for low angle terrain, or below treeline, where low density snow has been preserved.
Strong winds from variable direction are redistributing the accumulations of the last few days on multiple aspects and will form reactive wind slabs on lee features, cross loaded and reverse loaded areas. Avoid start zones, pay particular attention to convexities and carefully assess if and where the cross-loaded features are on your descent.
At time of publication, no new avalanches were observed or reported.
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5 to 10 cm of new snow add up to the accumulations of the last week, for a total of 25-35 cm of low density snow at the top of the snowpack. The sun has affected the surface, but its effect was limited. In the alpine and at treeline, this low density snow is bonding well to a very firm crust. Moderate winds have formed deeper deposit on leeward slopes. Under this lower density snow, a melt freeze crust covers a 20 cm of denser snow. This crust is only present on the solar aspects. Below treeline, the recent snow is still dry and powdery on the northern aspects. The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several refreezing crusts from the last few weeks.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure forms over the Chic-Chocs, bringing great weather and moderate winds.
Sunday evening and night: Gradual clearing. 1 to 3 cm of snow. Winds from 45 to 55 km/h from the northwest. Min. -13C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday: Mostly sunny. Snow starting late afternoon. Winds from 20 to 30 km/h from the northwest, switching to the west and southwest in PM. Max. -8C. Freezing level 500m.
Tuesday: Cloudy. 5 to 10 cm of snow. Winds from 25 to 35 km/h from the west. Max. -5C.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. No precipitation. Winds from 15 to 25 km/h from the northwest. Max. -8C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
