Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 11th, 2024 2:30PM

The alpine rating is low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low. Known problems include Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada bwillard, Avalanche Canada

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In many places, the thickness of the snowpack has decreased in the Parc de la Gaspésie. Many rocks are now visible on descents. With the variability of snow surfaces (crust, hard-packed snow, windslabs) and current snow coverage, caution is advised.

Summary

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

One size 1 loose wet avalanche that run to ground was observed on Mount Albert, on an eastern aspect at about 600m elevation. The avalanche must have occurred within the last 24 hours.

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

Snowpack Summary

The dry snow line is at around 700m and we have received between 3 and 5 cm of new snow since Saturday. On sheltered eastern slopes above 700m, surface hoar has been buried under 3 to 5 cm of snow. We will continue our investigation on the other aspects over the next few days to assess the distribution of surface hoar.

Below 700m, there is between 5 and 10 cm of moist snow on the surface, which is likely to create a new crust layer.

The core of the snowpack is well consolidated, and resting on the December 30 combo of facetted grains and crust. Facetted grains and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: A major low-pressure system will pass southeast of the Gaspé Peninsula this week, bringing moderate to strong northwesterly winds and possibly a few snow showers.

Sunday evening and night: Cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. Wind from the northwest at 30 to 50 km/h. Temperature cooling to a minimum of -8C.

Monday: Cloudy. Trace of snow. Wind 30 to 50 km/h from the northwest. Maximum -8C.

Tuesday: Alternating sun and cloud. Wind northwest 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -10C.

Wednesday: Cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. Wind northwest 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -9C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Be carefull around freshly wind loaded features.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.
  • A crust on the surface will help bind the snow together, but may make for tough travel conditions.

Problems

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

At higher altitudes, the few centimetres that have fallen continue to be transported by moderate to strong north-westerly winds.

Aspects: North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 1.5

Valid until: Feb 12th, 2024 3:00PM