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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 5th, 2025–Mar 6th, 2025

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

The time of arrival and intensity of the weather system remain uncertain. Snowpack stability will deteriorate rapidly with rain and high temperatures.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches were observed or reported.

If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

Rain, high temperatures and extreme southerly winds are likely to transform the snowpack considerably.

Over the course of Thursday, surface snow will become moist. Extreme winds will significantly reduce the amount of snow on the eastern and southern slopes. In the Alpine, the western and northern slopes already had limited snow cover, and are therefore also likely to be exposed, exposing the rock.

The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, resting on a layer of rounding facets. The height of the snowpack currently varies from 120 cm to 220 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS

A deep low from Colorado will hit the Chic-Chocs from Wednesday evening, bringing rain and high temperatures.

Wednesday evening and night: Snow changing to freezing rain after midnight. Snow accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. Winds from the south at 50 to 70 km/h. Minimum -5°C.

Thursday: Freezing rain changing to rain in the morning. Rainfall expected to be 10 to 15 mm. Winds southeast, 80 to 110 km/h. Maximum +6 °C. Freezing level at 2500 m.

Friday: Rain turning to snow early afternoon. Accumulations of 5 to 7 mm of rain and 10 to 15 cm of snow. Westerly winds of 30 to 50 km/h. Temperature dropping to -15°C on Friday night.

Saturday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 2 to 5 cm of snow. Northwest winds, 50 to 60 km/h. Maximum of -14 °C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
  • The first few hours of rain will likely be the most dangerous period.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.