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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 1st, 2023–Apr 2nd, 2023

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

Winds are back in force and will create dangerous conditions in alpine terrain.

Avoid freshly wind-loaded terrain features and be aware of the potential rider-triggered sluffs on steep slopes.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

Friday, several skier-triggered avalanches were reported, including a wind slab on a leeward alpine feature and a storm slab on a sheltered slope at treeline. These avalanches (size 1 to 1.5) likely failed on a buried crust.

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

Up to 20-30 cm of new snow has fallen into the Chic-Chocs in the last week. In the alpine and treeline, these accumulations bond well to a solid underlying crust. Moderate winds, which have been blowing only for the last 48 hours, brought greater accumulation on leeward slopes. Under this snow, a melt-freeze crust overlies 20 cm of denser snow. This crust is only present in solar aspects. Below treeline, the recent snow is still dry and powdery in places. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several melt-freeze crusts from the last few weeks.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A vigourous winter-like storm will keep impacting the region Saturday night with a strong southerly flow. A cold northwesterly flow will return Sunday, bringing well-below-average cold temperatures.

Saturday evening and night: Snow. Local amount 10-15 cm. Moderate southeasterly winds gusting 50 km/h. Low of -5 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday: Isolated flurries up to 2 cm. Strong northwesterly winds gusting 60 km/h. High of -10 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.

Monday: A mix of sun and clouds. Moderate westerly winds gusting 40 km/h. High of -6 C. Freezing level at valley bottom. 5 cm of snow at night.

Tuesday: Isolated flurries. Moderate westerly winds gusting 40 km/h. High of -4 C. Freezing level rises to 500m.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Minimize exposure during periods of heavy loading from new snow and wind.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Be aware of the potential for loose avalanches in steep terrain where snow hasn't formed a slab.

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.