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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 21st, 2025–Jan 22nd, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

Despite limited observation conditions due to the cold, chances are high that new snow, constant westerly winds and freezing temperatures will keep our wind slab problem alive on the eastern slopes.

The predicted cold temperatures will considerably slow the stabilization of the snowpack. They will also significantly increase the severity of consequences in the event of an accident.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches reported or observed

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

Snowpack Summary

At the treeline and in alpine areas, surface snow is strongly affected by wind, resulting in great variability in its distribution.

In wind-protected areas, the average depth of snow cover varies between 90 and 120 cm. Within this blanket, we find:

  • A thin layer of frost at a depth of around 20 cm.

  • A layer of facetted grains approximately 40 cm deep.

  • A melt-freeze crust at 60 cm.

These layers showed reactions in our tests, indicating that they could be triggered by a small surface avalanche. With colder temperatures forecast over the next few days, these layers could become even more brittle.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS

The passage of a ridge of high pressure should bring the wind down slightly late on Wednesday. A few snowflakes still on the menu.

Tuesday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -26.

Wednesday: Alternating sun and cloud. Traces of snow. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -23.

Thursday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind southwest, 10 to 30 km/h. High -16.

Friday: Sunny. Wind west, 20 to 40 km/h. High -15.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Wind slabs are most reactive during their formation.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.
  • Small avalanches can have serious consequences in extreme terrain. Carefully evaluate your line for slabs before you commit to it.

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.