The storm have left less snow than expected, which has been moved by northeasterly winds to form wind slabs in the upper lee slopes and cross loaded areas.
Watch out for wind-loaded areas, especially on steep slopes and convex rolls.
Wind slabs have developed with moderate to strong northeast winds over the past 24 hours. They are found at the top of W-SW-S slopes in the alpine and in cross loaded areas at treeline. Our observations of the day show that they react to the passage of a skier, but with a limited propagation.
No new avalanche activity has been observed or reported.
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Following the storm, an additional 10 to 15 cm of snow is added to the 20 to 30 cm of low density snow covering the January 2 crust. This crust supports the weight of a skier or snowboarder.
In areas exposed to the winds, there is a variety of surfaces affected by the wind, ranging from soft slabs to hard slabs, as well as sastrugis or the crust directly on the surface.
In general, the height of the snowpack varies from 50 to 100 cm depending on the area and the elevation.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A ridge of high pressure brings sunshine for Sunday while a low pressure system moves up from the south to bring mixed precipitation from Monday.
Saturday evening and night: Clearing, northerly winds 30 to 50 km/h, minimum -17 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Sunday: Sunny, northeasterly winds 20 to 40 km/h, maximum -7 C, freezing level at valley bottom.
Monday: Periods of snow, 5-10 cm, northeasterly winds 50 to 70 km/h, maximum -5 C, temperature inversion, freezing level at valley bottom.
Tuesday: Rain or snow, 3-5 mm, northeasterly winds 30 to 40 km/h, maximum +5 C, freezing level at 2000 m.
For more details, check out the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
NEW: You can also read the avalanche bulletins for the Haute-Gaspésie shore and Murdochville areas.
