A winter storm will hit the Chic-Chocs this Easter Sunday, with heavy snowfall expected. The danger rating will gradually increase throughout the day.
Some weather models are predicting heavy snowfall in a short period of time, accompanied by extreme winds. This new snow should be deposited on a refreezing crust or on a layer of wet snow.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
If you're out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Réseau d'Information en Montagne (RIM).
The new snow expected on Sunday should accumulate on a refreezing crust, or on wet snow also resting on a refreezing crust. Conditions are highly variable in the alpine and at treeline (rocks, ice, wind-blown snow). The upper part of the snowpack, up to 80 cm deep, is humid. The middle of the snowpack consists of alternating well-consolidated snow and refreezing crusts.
At mid-mountain, the depth of the snowpack varies from 80 to 170 cm.
A low-pressure system from Colorado will bring significant amounts of snow on Sunday.
Saturday evening and night: Rain. Accumulation 10 mm. Westerly winds, 20 to 40 km/h. Low 0. Freezing level going down to 400m.
Sunday: Snow. Accumulation 20 to 30 cm. Wind northwest, 60 to 90 km/h. Maximum -1. Freezing level at 600m.
Monday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 20 to 30 km/h. Maximum 0. Freezing level at 700m.
Tuesday: Intermittent rain. Wind southeast, 30 to 50 km/h. Maximum +1. Freezing level at 900m.
For more details, consult the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
