Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 23rd, 2023–Feb 24th, 2023

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Alpine

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Below Treeline

Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

Although they tend to stabilize, you may still find reactive wind slabs in the mountains.

Take the time to analyze the slope before you go.

Don't forget that the consequences of an accident in the mountains are greater in very cold weather. This is one more factor to consider when planning a trip.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche has been observed or reported in the last 24 hours.

Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at [email protected].

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and at the treeline, the wind has redistributed the available snow, exposing the crust or ice and creating wind slabs of varying density on the leeward slopes and in the laterally loaded areas. All of this rests on a snowpack with a steady increase in density. The January 18 crust is buried under sixty to one hundred centimetres of snow, and facetted grains are still found on its surface.Below 600m, the crust is very crumbly and becomes less and less noticeable with altitude. The best skiing is therefore in places protected from the wind, above 600m, where the snow has been preserved from the weather events of the last few days (thaw and wind). 15 to 20 cm of powdery snow awaits you there, resting on a crumbly crust of varying thickness. In general, the height of the snow cover varies from 70 to 90 cm in the valley to 100 to 150 cm in the middle mountains.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A low pressure system passing well south of our forecast area could bring a few flakes by Friday. Very cold temperatures. Thursday night and overnight: Becoming cloudy, light snow. Wind 10 to 30 km/h from the northwest. Low -24. Friday: Light snow in the morning, then gradually clearing. Wind 30 to 40 km/h from the northwest. High -26C.Saturday: Sunny. Wind 30 to 50 km/h from the northwest. Max. -21 C.Sunday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind 10 to 20 km/h from the southwest. High -15. For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.

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.

Persistent Slabs

Persistent Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) in the middle to upper snowpack, when the bond to an underlying persistent weak layer breaks. Persistent layers include: surface hoar, depth hoar, near-surface facets, or faceted snow. Persistent weak layers can continue to produce avalanches for days, weeks or even months, making them especially dangerous and tricky. As additional snow and wind events build a thicker slab on top of the persistent weak layer, this avalanche problem may develop into a Deep Persistent Slab.