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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 8th, 2024–Jan 9th, 2024

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

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

Strong forecasted wind will easily transport and sweep light alpine snow. Ground obstacles are barely buried at lower elevations, and off-trail riding remains challenging.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

A small wind slab avalanche (size 1) was observed Monday on Mont Albert. Most likely naturally triggered, this slab slid on a steep alpine slope, loaded by recent wind.

If you go into the backcountry, please consider sharing your observations at [email protected] or on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

Snowpack Summary

15-25 cm of light snow overlies a thick widespread melt-freeze crust or sits directly on the ground. Accumulations are greater in specific couloirs and alpine gullies. However, access remains very challenging and hazardous due to thin snow coverage. In most areas, the snowpack is below the threshold for avalanches. The height of the snow varies between 10 and 60 cm.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: A northwesterly flow will keep cold weather for Tuesday. A major storm is expected to move into the region Wednesday.

Monday evening and night: Partly cloudy, no precipitations, wind north-westerly 40-50 km/h, alpine temperature -18C.

Tuesday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-3 cm, wind northwest 30-40 km/h, alpine temperature -9C.

Wednesday: Snow, heavy at times, beginning by midday, 15-25 cm, wind southeast 80-100 km/h, alpine temperature -2C.

Thursday: Cloudy with isolated flurries, 2-3 cm, wind southwest 30-40 km/h, alpine temperature -5C.

For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs may be poorly bonded to the underlying crust.
  • Expect shallow snow cover that barely covers ground roughness.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

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.