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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 20th, 2025–Jan 21st, 2025

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, 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.

The anticipated extreme cold will greatly slow the stabilization of the snowpack. Furthermore, it will significantly amplify the severity of any accident in the mountains.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

An avalanche estimated to be 1.5 to 2 in size has been reported on the Mountain Information Network. The avalanche occurred on the morning of January 20 at the top of the North Couloir on Mount Hog's Back. We have little information on this avalanche, but we suspect it was triggered by a skier. See details here: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/8623ba3f-d760-11ef-8314-0a58a9feac02

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

Snowpack Summary

At the treeline and in alpine areas, surface snow is strongly affected by wind, resulting in great variability in its distribution.

In wind-protected areas, the average depth of snow cover varies between 90 and 120 cm. Within this blanket, we find:

  • A thin layer of frost at a depth of around 20 cm.

  • A layer of facetted grains approximately 40 cm deep.

  • A melt-freeze crust at 60 cm.

These layers showed reactions in our tests, indicating that they could be triggered by a small surface avalanche. With colder temperatures forecast over the next few days, these layers could become even more brittle.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS

A few residual snow showers following the passage of the low-pressure system.

Monday evening and night: Light snow, 1-3 cm. Wind west, 40-60 km/h. Low -29.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Wind west, 30 to 50 km/h. High -25.

Wednesday: Sunny. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -23.

Thursday: Alternating sun and cloud. Wind southwest, 10 to 30 km/h. High -16.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs 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.