Avalanche Forecast
Issued: Dec 16th, 2022 2:00PM
The alpine rating is , the treeline rating is , and the below treeline rating is Known problems include Wind Slabs.
dboucher,
Avalanche Canada
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
Summary
Confidence
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported. Please share your observations at info@avalanchequebec.ca, 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
Isolated wind slabs exist at the top of southwestern slopes in the alpine. In places, they cover a melt-freeze crust above which facetted grains are developing. This combination constitutes an avalanche-prone sliding plane.
Aspects: South, South West, West.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood
Expected Size
Valid until: Dec 17th, 2022 3:00PM
