The drier snow in the Alpine was probably more easily transported by the wind.
A thin crust appears to have formed at the interface between the new snow and the snow below. Summary tests indicate a poor cohesion of this crust with the snow below.
A slab avalanche of unknown size was accidentally triggered Thursday on the north slope of Mount Matawees in the Matane Wildlife Reserve.
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During Thursday's thaw, the precipitation turned to snow above 500 m while below this altitude, it turned to rain. The new snow (7 cm of moist snow measured at 700 m) rests on a thin, often inconspicuous crust overlying the powdery snow received in the last week. Below the treeline, the snowpack depth on the January 18 crust is about 50-60 cm.
In the alpine, strong westerly winds will have blown the new snow onto leeward slopes. These accumulations lie directly on the crust, or on previously wind hardened surfaces. A great deal of spatial variability can be expected. Travel will remain very challenging.In general, the height of the snow cover will vary from 70 to 90 cm in the valley to 100 to 150 cm in the mid-mountains.
Forecast for the Chic-Chocs ridges and summits.
Synopsis: A small low pressure system passing over Nova Scotia will bring some snow Thursday night and Friday.
Thursday night and overnight: Cloudy. Flurries (1 to 2 cm). Wind northwest 35 to 60 km/h. Low -13.
Friday: Cloudy. Flurries (2 to 4 cm) Wind north 20 to 30 km/h. High -12.
Saturday: Some sunny spells. Traces of snow. Wind southwest 15 to 30 km/h. High -12.
Sunday: A few sunny spells. Snow flurries (1 cm). Wind southwest 30 to 55 kph. High -12.For more details, check the Alpine Weather Forecast.
