Small patches of wind slabs may form on north-facing slopes. However, the main hazard remains the widespread crust in the mountains, which increases the risk of a fall. Choose safer routes and pack a pair of crampons in your backpack.
The snow expected overnight (2–5 cm) will settle on a crust, creating an ideal sliding surface in very isolated areas where small wind slabs may form. These could be unstable, though not large enough to bury a person in the event of an avalanche. The main danger remains the risk of being swept away on a long slide down steep, icy slopes.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
There is 2 to 5 cm of fresh snow lying on a widespread refrozen crust, which is sometimes solid and sometimes unable to support a skier’s weight; this is present throughout the mountains. Beneath this crust, the snowpack is well-consolidated. The entire snowpack is dry, apart from the base, which is damp.
At mid-mountain, the average depth of the snowpack is around 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system could bring light snowfall overnight from Thursday to Friday.
Thursday evening and night: Cloudy. Snow up to 5 cm. Southerly winds of 20–40 km/h. Low of -14 °C.
Friday: Intermittent snow. A further 2 to 5 cm of snow starting in the evening. Westerly winds of 10 to 30 km/h. Maximum -3 °C.
Saturday: A further 2 to 4 cm of snow possible. North-westerly winds of 10 to 30 km/h. Maximum -3 °C.
Sunday: Light snow late in the day. Accumulation of 2 cm. North-westerly wind 10–30 km/h. Maximum -3 °C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
