Temperatures are falling and a new crust is forming. If the wind is strong enough, small wind slabs could form in alpine terrain in isolated areas. If you decide to enjoy the mountains tomorrow, crampons and/or ski crampons could be very useful for getting around.
New small wind slabs (5 to 20 cm) could form early in the day on top of the new crust that formed and was buried on Sunday morning, on isolated ridges in alpine terrain, on E to SW slopes. The crust will provide a good sliding surface, so they could be reactive to skiers passing by. The uncertainty is linked to the potential wind speed in alpine terrain and the low amount of snow expected.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Early on Sunday morning, a new crust will form and be buried under a few centimetres of new snow as temperatures drop throughout the day.
In alpine areas and at the tree line, there will be very uneven conditions, with wind-hardened snow, powder snow, wind slabs of varying densities, and bare patches, especially on west-facing slopes.
Below the tree line, there is 20 to 40 cm of light snow on the surface, resting on a gradually denser snowpack, down to the weak layers of flat-faced grains and deep frost at the base.
On sunny aspects, a sun crust is present under 5 to 30 cm of snow.
At mid-mountain, the average snowpack depth is approximately 130 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
On Sunday, the passage of a cold front will cause temperatures to drop rapidly after overnight rain.
Saturday evening and night: Clear. South-westerly wind of 60 to 90 km/h with gusts of up to 120 km/h. Minimum temperature 0°C. Freezing level 2000 m.
Sunday: Snow very early in the morning up to 2 cm, then sunny with clouds. North-westerly wind of 10 to 20 km/h. Maximum -3°C.
Monday: Mostly cloudy. Mix of snow (2 cm) and rain 2 mm. Wind from the west 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum 3°C. Freezing level 1000 m.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy. Wind from the west 30 to 50 km/h. Maximum -7°C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
