With all the icy surfaces at higher elevations, it is best to limit your travel and stay below the tree line to take advantage of the best snow
The 5 to 10 cm of snow and moderate to strong northwest winds tonight and Saturday could form new wind slabs. Since many surfaces are icy, they may not have very good traction.
A layer with slab properties overlies a layer of facets over the January 18th crust. The likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this interface is unlikely, but the consequence of an event on this layer would be a large avalanche. Keep an eye out in areas where the snowpack is thinner.
No new avalanche has been observed or reported in the last 24 hours.
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At higher elevations, much of the surface was eroded to the January 18th crust by the strong westerly winds of last weekend. The 5 to 10 cm of snow received today was blown by the southeast wind and cross loaded accumulations were observed. Below the treeline, 40 to 50 cm of less wind-affected snow was found on top of the decaying January 18th crust.
In general, snowpack heights range from 70-90 cm in the valley to 100-150 cm in the mid-mountains.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: The low pressure system from Colorado will affect the area again on Saturday and will be followed by a less intense one on Sunday.
Friday night and overnight: Blowing snow. 4 cm of snow. Wind northwest 30 to 50 km/h. Min. -12 C.
Saturday: Cloudy. 3 cm of snow. Wind northwest 30 to 50 km/h. Max. -15 C.
Sunday: Cloudy. 2 cm of snow. Wind west 40 to 80 km/h. Max. -9 C.
Monday: Sunny. Wind southeast 10 to 20 km/h. Max. -11 C.
For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.
