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Avalanche Forecast

Archived

Jan 19th, 2026–Jan 20th, 2026

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, Chic-Chocs.

Depending on the amount of snow received by Tuesday evening, new wind slabs of varying size will form on north to southeast aspects. Be cautious of the layering of different wind slabs that may still be reactive. The best conditions are found below treeline.

Confidence

Moderate

  • Uncertainty is due to the track & intensity of the incoming weather system.

Avalanche Summary

Small avalanches in the Mines Madeleine area were reported to the Mountain Information Network (MIN).

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

Snowpack Summary

Strong winds have created high variability in the alpine and at treeline: conditions range from scoured areas to stacked wind slabs and wind-compacted snow.

In wind-sheltered areas, 30–40 cm of low-density snow remains at the surface. Below 600 m elevation, a friable melt-freeze crust formed last Thursday is present at a depth of approximately 5–10 cm.

The December 20 crust is now buried at a depth of about 60–110 cm. The faceted grains at its surface are rounding and showing decreasing reactivity in stability tests. This layer appears to be gradually gaining strength.

The average snowpack depth at mid-elevations is approximately 120 cm.

Weather Summary

WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS

A low-pressure front will move across the Gaspé Peninsula on Tuesday, bringing a few centimetres of snow before cold temperatures arrive as early as Tuesday evening.

Monday evening and night: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 2 to 4 cm. Southwest winds of 30 to 50 km/h. Low of −12 °C.

Tuesday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 4 to 6 cm. Southwest winds of 30 to 50 km/h. High of −11 °C.

Wednesday: Generally sunny. West winds of 50 to 70 km/h. High of −16 °C.

Thursday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 2 to 4 cm. Southwest winds of 20 to 40 km/h. High of −12 °C.

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

Terrain and Travel Advice

  • Approach lee and cross-loaded slopes with caution.
  • Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.

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.