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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Apr 25th, 2025–Apr 26th, 2025

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
Below Threshold.
Treeline
Below Threshold.
Below Treeline
Below Threshold.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains.

FINAL BULLETIN OF THE SEASON – VALID FOR APRIL 26 AND 27, 2025

There is some uncertainty regarding the impact of Saturday’s weather system on avalanche danger. Depending on the amounts that fall, the new moist snow combined with rain could show signs of instability.

Confidence

Moderate

Avalanche Summary

No new avalanches have been observed or reported.

If you are out and about in the hinterland, please share your observations with the RIM ( Réseau d'Information en Montagne ).

Snowpack Summary

Rain at lower elevations and wet snow in alpine terrain expected on Saturday will fall on a typical spring snowpack: moist and subject to freeze-thaw cycles on south-facing slopes, colder and drier—sometimes even icy—on north-facing slopes.

Conditions are highly variable in alpine areas and near the treeline.

At mid-mountain elevation, snowpack depth ranges from 60 to 160 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE RIDGES AND SUMMITS OF THE CHIC-CHOCS

A passing low-pressure system will bring rain and wet snow for the weekend.

Friday evening and night: Mostly cloudy. Light southeast wind. Low of -4°C. Freezing level drops to 700 m by Saturday morning.

Saturday: Wet snow or rain depending on elevation. Accumulation of 8 to 12 cm in alpine areas. Southeast wind at 30 to 40 km/h. High of 0°C. Freezing level at 900 m.

Sunday: Cloudy. Northeast wind from 30 to 60 km/h. High of +3°C. Freezing level at 2000 m.

Monday: Sunny. Light north wind. High of +5°C. Freezing level at 1800 m.

For more details, consult the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
  • A moist or wet snow surface, pinwheeling, and natural avalanches are all indicators of a weakening snowpack.
  • Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when traveling on or below ridges.
  • Travel early on sun-exposed slopes before cornices weaken with daytime warming.

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.