Avalanche Forecast

Moderate

• We are uncertain about forecast precipitation amounts.
• We are uncertain if precipitation will fall as rain or snow.

Storm slab avalanches up to size 2, along with signs of instability, were reported at Mines Madeleine on Friday at treeline on northeast aspects.

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

By Sunday evening, we could receive between 15 and 30 cm of new snow. This snow will fall on a variety of surfaces: wind-affected snow, powder, and sun crust.

A widespread melt-freeze crust about 2 cm thick is present at depths of 40 to 90 cm. A weak layer of faceted grains has developed on this crust on north to east aspects and is reactive in tests at treeline and in alpine terrain.

At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 140 cm.

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

A second winter storm will impact the Gaspésie over two days, bringing significant snowfall and extreme southerly winds.

Saturday evening and night: Snow beginning late overnight. Accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. Southeast wind at 40 to 60 km/h. Low of -9 °C.

Sunday: Snow at times heavy mixed with ice pellets. Accumulation of 15 to 25 cm. Risk of freezing rain late in the afternoon. Southeast wind at 70 to 100 km/h. High of -2 °C. Freezing level rising to 450 m overnight into Monday.

Monday: Cloudy. Accumulation of 1 to 5 cm. Northwest wind at 20 to 40 km/h. High of +1 °C in the morning, then cooling to -7 °C in the afternoon.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Northwest wind at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -14 °C.

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

• Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
• Be aware of the potential for human triggerable storm slabs at lower elevations, even on small features.
• Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.