The east faces of the alpine are heavily loaded with wind, and several avalanches have been reported there recently.
Be careful and opt for wind sheltered terrain for better and safer gliding conditions.
Recent avalanches are a reminder that, although wind slabs are becoming increasingly difficult to trigger, they are still liable to do so. The load is particularly heavy on the eastern faces, making large-scale avalanches possible.
Several natural avalanche crowns and deposits were observed on the eastern faces of Mount Albert, in the Mélèzes basin (size 1.5-2), in the Couloir à Benny on the Patrouilleurs wall (size 1.5) and in the Serpentine basin (size 2.5). All were between 36 and 72 hours old.
A large avalanche (2+) was also reported on an eastern alpine face outside our forecast zone.
If you are out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
In the alpine and on exposed features at treeline, we find a variety of surfaces affected by wind: Sastrugi, crust or multiple thin slabs of different densities overlying each other.
In sheltered areas and below the treeline, we find 25 to 40 cm of low-density snow on top of a well-consolidated core.
In general, cold temperatures continue to promote the faceting of the snowpack, especially where the latter is thinner.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS
Cold, clear weather before the arrival of snow on Thursday.
Tuesday evening and night: Light snow, 1-2 cm. Wind northwest, 20-30 km/h. Low -22.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Wind 30 to 40 km/h from the northwest. Maximum -21C.
Thursday: Snow, 10 to 20 cm. Strong southeasterly wind. Maximum -14C.
Friday: Snow flurries, 3 to 5 cm. Wind strong to extreme west. High -11.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
