Constant precipitation slowly builds up our snowpack, but the effect of wind makes conditions extremely variable. Where there's wind, there's also the problem of wind slabs. As there is still snow available for transport, these are in the process of forming and will remain reactive for a few days. Be careful when approaching slopes freshly loaded by the wind.
Light snow will continue to be moved to leeward slopes. Alpine gullies, couloirs and depressions may have been heavily loaded with this new snow, and you may find new trigger-sensitive wind slabs. Some alpine couloirs at the treeline could also be affected.
No new avalanche was reported or observed. If you go into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
The strong wind of the last few days, which changed direction a few times, created strong spatial variability in the alpine and at the treeline. The 20 to 35 cm of very light snow was easily shifted to create areas of heavy accumulation, sometimes next to still-exposed rocks. The height of the snowpack varies between 10 cm and 180 cm, with an average height of around 100 cm at mid-mountain.
This new loading is generally found on the southern and eastern slopes. But it's important to remember that these slopes were previously cleared of snow. To the north and west, we find old snow exposed to the wind at the bottom of the coulées, or crust and rock.
The best snow lies below the tree line, sheltered from the wind, but the obstacles are always close by.
Synopsis: Steady westerly and northwesterly winds, an ice-free St. Lawrence river and cold temperatures will bring light daily precipitation to the Chic-Chocs.
Thursday evening and night : Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. West wind, 40 to 60 km/h. Low -20.
Friday: Light snow, 1 to 3 cm. Wind northwest, 30 to 50 km/h. High -17.
Saturday: Cloudy. Light snow. Moderate northerly wind. High -8.
Sunday: Clearing. Moderate northwest wind. High -15.
For more details, check out the most recent alpine weather forecast.
