The effect of the wind in the alpine and at the treeline created highly variable conditions that are hard to predict.
The best conditions are found below the treeline, in areas that have been protected from the wind.
Gullies, couloirs, depressions and alpine cross-loading zones may have been heavily loaded, and you may find new wind slabs. In general, strong winds have tended to empty the treeline, but some couloirs with alpine characteristics could also be affected at this altitude band.
No new avalanche was reported or observed. If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
The strong, sometimes extreme winds of the last few days, which changed direction on a few occasions, created a high degree of spatial variability in the alpine and at the treeline. Many slopes, even in the lee, were emptied of snow, particularly near summits and ridges. At these altitudes, the height of the snowpack varies between 20 cm and 180 cm, with an average height of around 100 cm at mid-mountain.
This new load is generally found on the southern and eastern slopes. But it's important to remember that these slopes were previously cleared of snow. To the north and west, we find old snow exposed to the wind at the bottom of the coulees, or crust and rock.
Below the tree line, in areas well sheltered from the wind, we find 20-25 cm of powdery snow that has settled since the storm, making conditions pleasant.
Synopsis: Some light precipitation Saturday evening, especially on the Haute-Gaspésie coast, and possible return of the sun Sunday afternoon.
Saturday evening and night : Light snow, 1 to 2 cm. North wind, 10 to 20 km/h. Low -12.
Sunday: Light snow in the morning, then alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 20 to 30 km/h. High -12.
Monday: Periods of snow. Moderate north-westerly wind. High -9.
Tuesday: Snow ending in the morning, 3-5 cm. Strong northwest wind. High -26.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
