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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Mar 16th, 2026–Mar 17th, 2026

Alpine
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Treeline
Natural avalanches possible, human triggered probable.
Below Treeline
Natural avalanches unlikely, human triggered possible.
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.

Regions

Chic-Choc Mountains, Chic-Chocs.

Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rain. The greater the rainfall amounts, the more destabilized the snowpack will become. Wait for colder temperatures to return before venturing into terrain where avalanches may occur.

Confidence

Low

  • We are uncertain due to the timing, track, and intensity of the incoming weather system.
  • We are uncertain if precipitation will fall as rain or snow.

Avalanche Summary

Numerous cracking was observed on Monday in newly formed wind slabs.

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

Snowpack Summary

Up to 15 mm of rain is expected by midday Tuesday. This rain will significantly affect the surface snow, including both wind slabs and low-density snow in wind-sheltered areas.

At all elevations, a hard melt-freeze crust — and in some places an icy crust — is present either at the surface or buried up to 40 cm deep. This crust will provide an excellent sliding surface for wet snow avalanches.

At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 140 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

A strong low-pressure system crossing the province will bring violent southerly winds to the Chic-Chocs along with significant rainfall. Precipitation will taper off by midday Tuesday.

Monday evening and night: Rain. Around 10 mm of accumulation. South winds 90 to 130 km/h. High near +10°C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.

Tuesday: Rain in the morning followed by clearing in the afternoon. Around 5 mm of rain and possibly 2 to 8 cm of snow. Southwest winds 70 to 100 km/h. Temperatures falling to -5°C in the afternoon. Freezing level dropping back down to valley bottom.

Wednesday: Sunny. Northwest winds 40 to 60 km/h. High of -19°C.

Thursday: Cloudy. Southwest winds 40 to 60 km/h. High of -9°C.


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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of heavy rain.
  • Keep in mind that the high density of wet avalanches can make them destructive.
  • Loose avalanches may start small, but they can grow and push you into dangerous terrain.

Problems

Wet Slabs

Wet Slab avalanches are the release of a cohesive layer of snow (a slab) that is generally moist or wet when the flow of liquid water weakens the bond between the slab and the surface below (snow or ground). They often occur during prolonged warming events and/or rain-on-snow events. Wet Slabs can be very unpredictable and destructive.

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.