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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Feb 25th, 2024–Feb 26th, 2024

Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely.
Alpine
Natural avalanches unlikely.
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.

The wind had a major impact on snow at higher altitudes. Wind slabs could still be triggered, especially in areas where the snowpack varies from thick to thin, as triggering is easier there.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

Thursday, a group of skiers accidentally triggered a size 1 wind slab avalanche on a north-east, leeward alpine slope, at La Grande Cuve, Mont Albert. The failure plane was a weak layer of facets, buried under the wind-affected snow.

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

Snowpack Summary

In the alpine and wind-affected areas, wind-pressed surfaces, isolated pockets of recently drifted snow, or hard wind slabs are found.

These slabs are overlying older/denser snow or a weak layer of facet grains. This was the failure plane of the avalanche triggered on February 22 at Grande Cuve.

Between 5 and 20 cm of cold powdery snow can be found on sheltered slopes. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, resting on the December 30 combo of facets and crust. Facets and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.

Weather Summary

Synopsis: A weak low-pressure system from Ontario will head for the Gaspé Peninsula on Monday, bringing light precipitation. A lull is expected on Tuesday, followed by heavy rain on Wednesday.

Sunday evening and night: Increasing cloudiness after midnight. Wind south 20 km/h. Low -12.

Monday: Cloudy. 2 to 5 cm of snow. Wind southwest, 10-20 km/h. High -4.

Tuesday: Cloudy. Wind south 20-30 km/h. High -3.

Wednesday: Cloudy. 20 mm rain. Wind south 30-40 km/h. High +7.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
  • Avoid rock outcroppings, convexities, and anywhere the snowpack is thin and/or variable.
  • Be cautious of buried obstacles especially below treeline.

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.