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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Dec 16th, 2022–Dec 17th, 2022

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

Snow cover is still minimal. Small isolated wind slabs at the top of lee slopes in the alpine remain to be monitored. Getting out on the mountain? We need your observations! https://www.avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported. Please share your observations at [email protected], or with the Mountain Information Network.

Snowpack Summary

Between 15 and 30 cm of snow covers the widespread December 8 melt-freeze crust. Strong to extreme northeasterly winds have redistributed the new snow, exposing facing slopes to rock or crust and accumulating up to 100 cm in sheltered leeward areas. Surface wind slabs are fairly firm in the alpine and much softer at treeline. Despite the influx of new snow, snow conditions remain minimal. The crust and obstacles such as rocks, stumps, trees and trunks are barely covered and just waiting for you to leave beautiful marks on your skis or board, or to catch your shins.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

A low pressure system from the southwest will bring clouds and light snow showers for the weekend.

Friday night: Light snow, 1-2 cm, Southeasterly winds 30 to 50 km/h, minimum -6 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday: Light snow, 1-2 cm, Easterly winds 40 to 50 km/h, maximum -5 C, freezing level at 250 m.

Sunday: Cloudy with light snow showers, 1-2 cm, Easterly winds 20 to 40 km/h, maximum -5 C, freezing level at 350 m.

Monday: Snow, 10-15 cm, Northeasterly winds 40 to 50 km/h, maximum -5 C, freezing level at 350 m.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for wind slab hazard before you commit to it.

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.