Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Chic-Chocs.
The weather forecast from Tuesday evening to Wednesday remains uncertain, particularly regarding the amount of snow expected. The avalanche danger will directly depend on how much snow accumulates.
Take a cautious approach in the terrain and adjust your routes based on the conditions you encounter in the mountains.
Confidence
Low
Avalanche Summary
No new avalanche observed or reported.
If you are heading into the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack Summary
Surfaces softened by Tuesday's sun will refreeze with the passage of the winter storm. The new snow is therefore expected to fall on crusted surfaces. The strong to extreme easterly winds accompanying the snowfall are likely to significantly affect snow distribution. The bonding of the new snow to the crust remains to be determined.
The mid-pack of the snowpack is composed of alternating well-settled snow and refrozen crusts. At mid-elevation, the snowpack depth ranges from 60 to 160 cm.
Weather Summary
WEATHER FOR THE PEAKS AND SUMMITS OF THE CHIC-CHOCS
An April storm will sweep over the Chic-Chocs from Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Tuesday evening and overnight: Snow, sometimes heavy, with 10 to 20 cm expected. East winds at 45 to 65 km/h. Low of -3 °C. Freezing level at 350 m.
Wednesday: Snow continuing. Additional accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. North winds at 10 to 20 km/h. High of -2 °C. Freezing level at 600 m.
Thursday: Cloudy, with snow ending in the morning. Northwest winds at 30 to 50 km/h. High of 0 °C. Freezing level at 450 m.
Friday: Clearing in the morning. Northwest winds at 20 to 30 km/h. High of +4 °C. Freezing level rising to 900 m by late afternoon.
For more details, read the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slabs
Storm slabs are expected to form on leeward slopes, below ridgelines, on convex rolls, and in areas of cross-loading. These slabs will lie on crusted surfaces, which could provide an efficient sliding layer for potential avalanches.
Aspects: South East, South, South West, West, North West.
Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.
Likelihood: Likely
Expected Size: 1 - 2