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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 12th, 2023–Apr 13th, 2023

Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.
Alpine
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

Although we are not yet in a freeze-thaw cycle that brings us the long-awaited "corn snow", we are well into spring in the mountains.In spring, the index fluctuates during the same day according to the freezing level, heat, precipitation and solar radiation. This is why we switch to the spring hazard index. To prepare for your trip to the mountains, check out the section on avalanche problems and the associated travel tips. They will be adjusted each day according to the forecasted scenario.

To learn about the different spring scenarios: https://www.avalanche.ca/spring-conditions

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed.

Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

Rain on Tuesday night and Wednesday continued to moisten the snowpack at all altitudes, before turning to snow on the summits Wednesday morning. A few centimeters of new heavy snow was added to the alpine snowpack before noon on Wednesday, before being warmed by the sun. On Thursday, we can expect the beginning of a surface crust above 800m ... which will be quickly warmed up in the afternoon. 15 to 30 cm of wet snow is therefore lying directly on a rather crumbly and increasingly imperceptible refreezing crust. The layer of wet snow on the surface will be more important with the loss of altitude at and below the treeline.The middle and the base of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several crusts of refreeze from the last few weeks.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: Some residual precipitation possible following the passage of the low, then milder weather for the end of the week.Wednesday evening and night: Partly cloudy, traces of snow possible. Wind 20 to 35 km/h from the northwest. Low -3.Thursday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 30 km/h to 40 km/h. High +3. Frost level rising from 600 m to 2200 m in the afternoon.Friday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 30 to 50 km/h. High -1 . Freezing level at 600m.Saturday: Sunny. Wind northwest at 15 km/h. Max +1. Freezing level at 700m.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Even small cornices may have enough mass to be destructive and deadly.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating or solar exposure.
  • Remember that in the spring strong solar radiation and warm temperatures can weaken the snow in a matter of minutes.

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.