Although the danger level is decreasing, remember that a CONSIDERABLE danger level should be taken very seriously.
The new snow lies on top of a crust throughout the mountains, providing an excellent sliding surface for avalanches.
Be very cautious when choosing your routes and carefully assess the snowpack before setting off down a slope.
The new snow will be transported by moderate to strong winds from the west and then the north-west, forming wind slabs on leeward slopes. These will mainly be found below alpine ridges and in areas of lateral loading at the tree line and below the tree line. As these slabs will rest on a crust, they could be easily triggered by a skier.
In steep areas where snow has not formed slabs, it is likely that a skier could trigger dry losse avalanches. Snow mixed with ice pellets has very little cohesion and rests on a crust that provides an excellent sliding surface.
Many signs of instability observed on Albert and reported on the Mountain Information Network: https://avalanche.ca/mountain-information-network/submissions/776518d2-1e37-11f1-9929-0a58a9feac02
Some signs of instability, such as cracks under skis and fissures, were observed below the tree line by the field team.
An avalanche crown was reported in the Mélèzes couloir on Mount Albert. It was observed from a distance. It appears to be on an east-facing slope, but we have little information about this avalanche.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
The storm on Wednesday and Thursday left 15 to 25 cm of snow mixed with ice pellets. With temperatures rising during the event, the surface snow is generally denser than the snow that fell at the beginning of the storm.
Areas south of the zone, particularly Mount Lyall, appear to have received more precipitation than areas to the north. This new snow lies on a widespread crust in the mountains. This crust generally supports the weight of a skier in alpine terrain, but it is less supportive below the tree line. The middle of the snowpack remains well consolidated.
The extreme south to southwesterly wind has created great variability in the snowpack in alpine areas and at the tree line, and in some places even below the tree line.
At mid-mountain, the average snowpack depth is approximately 135 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
Due to the passage of a cold front, temperatures will drop significantly, accompanied by additional snow showers.
Thursday evening and night
Snow showers. Accumulation of 2 to 5 cm. Wind from the north-west at 20 to 40 km/h. Minimum temperature -12°C.
Friday
Mostly cloudy. Possible accumulation of 2 to 5 cm of snow. Winds from the northwest at 25 to 50 km/h. High of -14°C.
Saturday
Intermittent snow. 1 to 3 cm of snow. Winds from the southeast at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -9°C.
Sunday
Sun and clouds. Winds from the northwest at 20 to 50 km/h. High of -10.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
