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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 26th, 2023–Jan 27th, 2023

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

With storm snow and strong westerly winds, wind slabs will continue to develop throughout the day Friday. Keep in mind that wind slabs are at their most sensitive when forming.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

More and more relevant information is shared by users with the Mountain Information Network. Thank you for contributing to the collection of this valuable data! You can also continue to write to us at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

A total of 15 to 25 cm of storm snow accumulated during the day Thursday. This new snow adds to the snowfalls over the past week for a total of 25 to 40 cm above the January 18 crust. Strong easterly and then westerly winds moved the new snow greatly to create a wide variety of surfaces, ranging from hard slabs to scoured down to the crust in the alpine, and lighter density snow or soft slabs in sheltered areas and below treeline.

Below the January 18th crust is a generally well settled 15 to 20 cm of snow, resting on the facet from the decomposition of the January 2nd melt freeze crust. This interface sits on a mix of laminated crusts and facets at the base of the snowpack.

In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 50 to 70 cm in the valley to 100 to 140 cm mid-mountain.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: Following the storm, a weak ridge of high pressure sets in to bring a gradual clearing through Friday.

Thursday evening and night: Periods of snow, 1-2 cm, westerly winds 30 to 50 km/h, minimum -17 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Friday: Mainly cloudy and clearing in the afternoon, northwesterly winds 30 to 50 km/h, maximum -15 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Saturday: Periods of snow, 1-3 cm, southwesterly winds 60 to 80 km/h, maximum -9 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

Sunday: A mix of sun and cloud, westerly winds 20 to 40 km/h, maximum -17 C, freezing level at valley bottom.

For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid lee and cross-loaded slopes at and above treeline.
  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • 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.

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.