A melt/freeze cycle is expected Saturday, producing classic spring-time corn snow. Morning travels will be sketchy on icy surfaces, but should improve as the day progresses. Adjust your travel plans accordingly to the change of elevation and time of day.
Spring weather is favorable to cornices falls. Even a small cornice can be destructive and harmful. As they are unpredictable, be sure to stay well away from them at all times.
Warm temperatures and strong afternoon sunshine could weaken the surface snow and create small wet loose snow avalanches, especially on steep terrain. Keep in mind that wet avalanches can easily push you into undesirable obstacles or terrain traps.
No new avalanche was reported or observed in the last 24 hours. Old evidence of small loose wet avalanches (size 1) was observed on steep southwest-facing slopes at Mines Madeleine. Thanks for contributing to the collection of this valuable data by sharing it with other users on the Mountain Information Network or by writing to us directly at [email protected].
A melt/freeze cycle occurred on Thursday night above 500 m of elevation. Icy surfaces (with a supportive crust up to 5 cm) are found on all alpine slopes, except perhaps the steep south-facing slopes. At treeline, conditions were classic corn snow with soft surfaces. Below treeline, the warm weather of the last 3 days and lack of significant refreeze at night is keeping the snow wet and making conditions rather sticky and slow (mashed potatoes snow). Melting is happening fast and the height of snow varies from 50 cm (valley) to 130 cm (mid-mountain).
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A high-pressure ridge will keep supporting sunny skies and warming temperatures until Tuesday.
Friday evening and night: Clear. No precipitation. Moderate northwest wind at 35 km/h. Alpine low of -6 C. Freezing level at valley bottom.
Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods. No precipitation. Light southwest at 20 km/h. Alpine high of +2 C. Freezing level rises to 1250 m.
Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods. No precipitation. Light southwest wind at 25 km/h. Alpine high of +6 C. Freezing level steady at 2500 m.
Monday: Cloudy with sunny periods. No precipitation. Light southwest wind at 25 km/h. Alpine high of +8 C. Freezing level rises to 3000 m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine forecast.
