Be cautious near slopes where wind has deposited snow, as well as in areas affected by cross-loading. Pay particular attention to east aspects in alpine terrain, where avalanches may be more easily triggered.
Currently, there is a stacking of wind slabs in preferential loading areas. These wind slabs may be reactive to skier traffic. The new snow expected by Wednesday evening could make them more difficult to detect.
These wind slabs rest on a melt-freeze crust, providing an excellent sliding surface, especially reactive on east aspects. Their thickness could range from 10 to 60 cm.
No new avalanches reported or observed.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
A new sun crust formed at the surface on Tuesday on solar aspects. The new snow expected by Wednesday evening (10 to 15 cm) may react on this crust.
Wind has significantly redistributed the recently fallen snow. Between 20 and 50 cm of recent snow rests on a widespread melt-freeze crust about 2 cm thick. A weak layer of faceted crystals has developed on this crust on east aspects and is reactive in tests at treeline, and likely in alpine terrain as well.
At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
Another low-pressure system will move across the Gaspé Peninsula on Wednesday, bringing 10 to 15 cm of snow.
Tuesday evening and overnight: Snow. Accumulation of 5 cm. Variable winds at less than 15 km/h. Low of -10°C.
Wednesday: Snow. Accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. Southeast winds at less than 15 km/h. High of -7°C.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Northwest winds at 10 to 20 km/h. High of -8°C.
Friday: Snow. Accumulation of 20 cm. South winds at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -3°C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
