Avalanche forecast

Chic-Choc Mountains

Apr 27 – 28, 2023Avalanche Canada
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Avalanche danger

Sat
Sun
Alpine
No rating
Treeline
No rating
Below
No rating

Highlights

The weather over the next few days will be perfect for spring skiing.

Don't forget that at this time of year, conditions are highly variable, so keep using good travel habits and a thorough sunscreen application technique.

Avalanche problems

  • Cornices

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–2

    The spring weather conditions, in particular in the absence of overnight refreeze, contribute to weakening the cornices. Even small, a cornice fall can be destructive with serious consequences. Since they are very unpredictable, it is best to stay away from them at all times.

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    1–1.5

    The heat and the intense solar radiation will promote the triggering of small loose wet snow avalanches, in particular on the steep slopes on solar aspects.

Confidence

High

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanche has been observed or reported.

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Snowpack Summary

The absence of a spring diurnal cycle on Thursday night and for the next few days means that, the much looked for corn snow, will slowly turn into wet and slow snow. In general, at all elevations, the melting continues. The northern aspects will offer the greatest snow cover and the best conditions.

More places are now without snow cover, mainly at and below treeline, where conditions are rather minimal.

The height of the snow cover is about 85 cm at mid-mountain.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure is forming over the Chic-Chocs, bringing perfect weather for skiing.

Thursday evening and night: Cloudy. Light rain. Light northwest winds. Max +1C. Freezing level 1400m.

Friday: Alternating sun and clouds. Light northwest winds. Max +8C. Freezing level 1100m.

Saturday: Alternating sun and clouds. Light southeast winds. Max +6 C. Freezing level 1300 m.

Sunday: Generally cloudy. Winds from 20 to 35 km/h from the southeast. Max +3C. For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Caution around slopes that are exposed to cornices overhead.
  • As surface loses cohesion due to melting, loose wet avalanches become common in steeper terrain.
  • The more the snow feels like a slurpy, the more likely loose wet avalanches will become.
  • Rocks will heat up with daytime warming and may become trigger points for loose wet avalanches

Regions covered