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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 19th, 2025–Feb 20th, 2025

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

*** A special avalanche watch is activated for areas outside our forecast zone ***

Avoid areas where the wind has accumulated snow. Wind slabs are still reactive.

Confidence

Low

Avalanche Summary

Very limited observations in our forecast area. Two major avalanches occurred on the coast on February 19, one at Mont St-Pierre and one at Rivière-à-Claude. Both avalanches appear to have been triggered in the layer of facets at the base of the snowpack.

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

Snowpack Summary

A thin layer of frost (1 to 3 mm) has formed on the surface of the snowpack. During the last storm, between 50 and 70 cm of snow fell, depending on the area. At higher altitudes and at treeline, the wind has strongly sculpted the landscape, creating great variability. The landscape alternates between snowdrifts, hardened surfaces and eroded areas. In wind-sheltered areas, particularly below the treeline, this snow sits on a stable snowpack. However, a fragile layer of facets persists at the base. The height of the snowpack varies between 150 and 220 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CRESTS AND SUMMITS OF CHIC-CHOCS

A high-pressure ridge brings calm after the storm

Wednesday evening and night: Cloudy. Accumulation of 1 to 3 cm. Wind northwest, 20 to 30 km/h. Low -8.

Thursday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 10 to 20 km/h. High -5.

Friday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 15 to 30 km/h. High -12.

Saturday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -12.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
  • If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.

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.