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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 17th, 2026–Feb 18th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

We are uncertain about how much snow we will receive and how strong the winds will be by Wednesday evening. Wind slabs of varying size could develop. Travel cautiously and carefully assess the stability of the new snow before committing to your descent.

Confidence

Moderate

  • We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed.

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

Snowpack Summary

We could receive 10–15 cm of new snow by Wednesday evening. This snow will fall onto a variety of surfaces: wind-hardened snow, rocky surfaces, old wind slabs, sun crust, and below treeline, onto light, unconsolidated snow.

In the Mines Madeleine area, a layer of large facets is buried beneath 30–50 cm of wind slab, producing very easy results in recent stability tests on southeast through northwest aspects.

The average snowpack depth at mid-mountain is approximately 120 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system will move across the Gaspé Peninsula over the next few days, bringing several centimetres of fresh snow.

Tuesday night: Snow. Accumulation of 5–10 cm. Southwest winds 10–20 km/h. Low −7 °C.

Wednesday: Snow. Accumulation of 4–6 cm. North winds 10–20 km/h. High −5 °C.

Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Accumulation of 2–4 cm. Northwest winds 15–30 km/h. High −8 °C.

Friday: Sunny. Northwest winds 15–30 km/h. High −19 °C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use appropriate sluff management techniques.

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.

Loose Dry

Loose Dry avalanches are the release of dry unconsolidated snow and typically occur within layers of soft snow near the surface of the snowpack. These avalanches start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-dry avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs.