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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 10th, 2023–Apr 11th, 2023

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, human triggered possible.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

The lack of nightly refreezing, mild temperatures and the rain forecast for Tuesday morning may destabilize the surface snow and possibly the cornices formed this winter.

If you see a wet or damp surface, snowballs, or natural avalanches on the mountain, remember that these are all indicators that the snowpack is destabilizing.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

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, the western and wind exposed slopes have been swept to the crust or hardened snow. On all the slopes, depending on the recent loading and the exposure to the sun, we can find from 5 to 30 cm of wet snow, even wet. This snow rests directly on a more or less crumbly crust of refreeze. In the places with the most loaded snow from the last winds, where 30 to 50 cm rest on the crust, a layer of dry snow may persist before reaching the crust. The wet snow layer is more important with elevation loss at and below the treeline. The middle and base of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several refreezing crusts from the last few weeks.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A trough from James Bay brings some liquid precipitation Tuesday morning. Monday night and overnight: Increasing cloudiness after midnight. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Low +0.5. Freezing level at 1900 m.Tuesday: Showers in the morning, 1 to 3 mm. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High +5. Freezing level at 1400 m.Wednesday: Rain (10-15 mm) changing to snow (5 to 15 cm). Wind north, 40 to 60 km/h. Maximum +4. Freezing level at 400 m.Thursday: Clearing. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High +1. Freezing level at 600 m.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • 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.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Avoid exposure to slopes that have cornices overhead.
  • Even small cornices may have enough mass to be destructive and deadly.

Problems

Loose Wet

Loose Wet avalanches are the release of wet unconsolidated snow or slush. These avalanches typically occur within layers of wet snow near the surface of the snowpack, but they may quickly gouge into lower snowpack layers. Like Loose Dry Avalanches, they start at a point and entrain snow as they move downhill, forming a fan-shaped avalanche. Other names for loose-wet avalanches include point-release avalanches or sluffs. Loose Wet avalanches can trigger slab avalanches that break into deeper snow layers.

Cornices

Cornice Fall is the release of an overhanging mass of snow that forms as the wind moves snow over a sharp terrain feature, such as a ridge, and deposits snow on the downwind (leeward) side. Cornices range in size from small wind drifts of soft snow to large overhangs of hard snow that are 30 feet (10 meters) or taller. They can break off the terrain suddenly and pull back onto the ridge top and catch people by surprise even on the flat ground above the slope. Even small cornices can have enough mass to be destructive and deadly. Cornice Fall can entrain loose surface snow or trigger slab avalanches.