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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 19th, 2025–Jan 20th, 2025

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

Wind slabs are still reactive and can be triggered remotely.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A size 2 avalanche has been reported. The avalanche occurred on the morning of January 19 in Mines Madeleine, on an eastern slope at tree line. The avalanche was remote-triggered from the ridge. The crown was approximately 30 to 50 cm thick.

If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

At treeline and in the alpine, the surface snow is affected by the wind. Inside the snowpack, there's a thin layer of frost about 20 cm deep, a layer of facets at about 40 cm and a refreezing crust at 60 cm. These layers are reactive in our tests and could be triggered by a smaller surface avalanche. The average snowpack thickness varies between 90 and 120 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS

Sunday evening and night: Snow. Accumulation of 2 cm. North wind 20 km/h. Low -14.

Monday: Snow, accumulation 2 to 4 cm. Wind northwest, 40 to 50 km/h. Temperature dropping to -20.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Wind west, 30 to 40 km/h. High -25.

Wednesday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 40 to 50 km/h. High -25.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.

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.