A low rating does not mean that there is no avalanche danger. You can still find unstable wind slabs in isolated areas or extreme terrain. These may rest directly on a crust that provides an excellent sliding surface. Look out for signs of recent loading.
On sunny slopes, these slabs rest on a very firm crust that provides an excellent sliding surface. With cold temperatures, facetted grains are developing on this crust. You're likely to encounter this problem in couloir start zones, under convexities and in laterally-loaded depressions.
No new avalanches reported or observed.
If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Snowpack height is highly variable across the zone, and wind effects are strong in the alpine and at the treeline.
In areas sheltered from the wind, you can find between 10 and 20 cm of very low density snow. Sectors closer to the north coast were favoured.
Below 500m altitude, this new snow rests on a refreezing crust that had formed on Monday. The crust thickens and hardens as we lose altitude. On sunny slopes, the crust is present up to 1000m. On sunny alpine slopes, the crust is very firm, and ski crampons are essential. A thin layer of facetted grains is developing on this crust.
The middle of the snowpack is well consolidated, resting on the December 30 combo of facetted grains and crust. Facetted grains and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.
The average height is around 100 cm.
Synopsis: Little change over the next few days, calm and cold weather. A few flakes possible.
Sunday evening and night: Increasing cloudiness followed by intermittent snow, 1 cm. Wind southwest, 20-30 km/h. Low -16.
Monday: Intermittent snow ceasing midday, then clearing. Wind becoming northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -16.
Tuesday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -17.
Wednesday: Sunny. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -8.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
