A major storm (of rain) is approaching the Gaspé Peninsula and is likely to hit the hardest on Wednesday night. There is some uncertainty as to how the snowpack will react to the heavy rain and rising temperatures.
Heavy rain will transform light surface snow in wind-protected areas into slush, producing a problem of wet loose avalanches on steep slopes.
In places where there were recent wind slabs, heavy rain could undo the cohesive bonds between the slabs and the old surface, producing avalanches of wet slabs.
No new avalanches reported or observed.
If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
In the alpine and in areas affected by the wind, you'll find a multitude of old, very hard wind slabs. These slabs are overlying older/denser snow or a weak layer of facet grains.
Between 5 and 20 cm of powdery snow can be found on sheltered slopes. The mid-snowpack is well consolidated, resting on the December 30 combo of facets and crust. Facets and depth hoar are developing at the base of the snowpack.
Synopsis: A deep low-pressure system from the Great Lakes will sweep over the Gaspé Peninsula from Wednesday morning, bringing rising mercury, strong winds from the south and, unfortunately, heavy rain.
Tuesday evening and night: Cloudy. Winds from the southwest at 50 to 80 km/h. Temperatures rising to +3C. Freezing level at 2300m.
Wednesday: Cloudy. Rain beginning early morning. 15 mm rain expected. Wind south, 50-80 km/h. Maximum +5C. Freezing level rising to 2800m on Wednesday night.
Thursday: Clearing in the afternoon. 10 mm rain followed by 5 cm snow. Wind northwest 40 to 60 km/h. Cooling temperatures down to -20C.
Friday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 40 to 50 km/h. Maximum -20C.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
