Thursday's light winds are not expected to form new wind slabs, but those formed in recent days may take longer to stabilise.
Take the time to carefully assess leeward slopes before committing to them.
Despite the mild temperatures that have helped stabilise conditions, it is still possible to find wind slabs beneath ridges, convexities and in areas with lateral loading that could react to the passage of a skier or snowboarder.
No new avalanches reported or observed.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
In areas sheltered from the wind, there is an average of 30 to 40 cm of low-density snow resting on 30 to 60 cm of progressively denser snow down to the crust from December 20th. This crust is decomposing. The facetted grains on its surface are rounding off under the effect of mild temperatures and are becoming less and less responsive to stability tests. This layer appears to be solidifying.
Strong winds have created great variability in the alpine and near the tree line: there are bare areas as well as hard wind slabs, compacted snow and softer recent slabs.
The average snow depth at mid-mountain is about 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system will bring snow accompanied by light winds on Thursday.
Wednesday evening and night: Snow starting late at night, 2 cm. South-westerly wind of 15 to 30 km/h. Minimum temperature -2. Freezing level at 400 m.
Thursday: Snow, 8 to 12 cm. Wind from the south at 15 to 25 km/h. Maximum -1. Freezing level at 600 m.
Friday: Light snow, 3 to 5 cm. North-westerly wind, 40 to 60 km/h. Cooling, minimum -17.
Saturday: Sunny. Westerly wind, 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -11.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
