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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 3rd, 2023–Feb 4th, 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 possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

Blizzard conditions will continue on Saturday which will not help with travel above treeline and will definitely increase the size of wind slabs.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

On the Albert area Thursday, several avalanches were reported on north and northeast slopes. They all released within an interface of overlying wind slabs, from the previous couple of days. See the MIN reports for more information.

  • Three natural avalanches of size 0.5 to 1.

  • One size 2 avalanche was accidentally triggered by a skier.

  • Our team ski cutted a size 1.5.

Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

About 15 to 20 cm of new snow was added to the 15 to 20 cm of very low density snow already present on the January 18 crust or on a slightly denser layer covering the latter. With the extreme westerly wind, much of this snow was moved into the alpine and treeline areas, forming new wind slabs.

A great deal of spatial variability is present in the alpine and at the treeline, from wind slabs to wind-affected snow to ice or rock.Facetted grains have developed on and under the January 18 crust, with more and more test results showing reactivity on this crust.In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 70 to 90 cm in the valley to 100 to 150 cm at mid-mountain.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: The combination of an arctic air mass, a low pressure system and extreme westerly winds will cause blowing snow until Saturday night. The wind will diminish on Sunday morning.

Friday night and overnight: Blowing snow. 2 cm of snow. Wind northwest 50 to 100 km/h. Low -33.

Saturday: Blowing snow. 1 cm of snow. Wind northwest 50 to 100 km/h. High -27.

Sunday: Mix of sun and clouds. Wind southwest 20 to 40 km/h. High -17.

Monday: Sunny spells. Wind northwest 20 to 40 km/h. High -14.

For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • Avoid steep, rocky, and wind effected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.