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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 3rd, 2023–Apr 4th, 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.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Littoral, Murdochville.

Moderate winds and new precipitation promote the formation of wind slabs in the alpine, at treeline, and on cross loaded features.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

An avalanche of unknown size was triggered on April 2 on an eastern aspect of the Hog's back.

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 general, at all elevations, precipitation and winds over the past week have resulted in 20-50 cm of snow covering the March 26 melt freeze crust. Sunshine has affected the surface of the slopes on the solar aspects, but cold temperatures have kept the snow lighter on the northern aspects.

In the alpine and treeline, strong winds have redistributed these accumulations, forming an interface of soft and hard slabs that are upside down in some places.

The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, and of increasing density, interspersed with several melt freeze crusts from the last few weeks.

Weather Summary

Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.

Synopsis: A system moving in from the Great Lakes will bring light precipitation and rising freezing levels.

Monday night and overnight: Cloudy. 2 to 4 cm of snow. Southerly winds from 20 to 30 km/h. Min -5C. Freezing level at 250m.

Tuesday: Cloudy. 2 to 3 cm of snow. Winds from 25 to 30 km/h from the west. Max. -6C. Freezing level at 600m.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. No precipitation. Winds from 15 to 20 km/h from the west. Max. -12C.

Thursday: Cloudy. Mix of rain/snow/freezing rain. Winds from 30 to 40 km/h from the south. Temperature inversion, -6C at valley bottom and +5C on the summits.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Expect slab conditions to change drastically as you move into wind exposed terrain.
  • Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
  • Caution around convexities or sharp changes in terrain.

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.