The stability of the snowpack will diminish rapidly with the arrival of rain and rising temperatures.
The rain expected on Saturday could destabilize the snow received this week. The new snow rests on a refreezing crust, which provides an excellent sliding surface.
A few small wet loose avalanches were observed on Friday on southern aspects.
If you're out in the backcountry, please share your observations on the Réseau d'Information en Montagne (RIM).
Conditions are highly variable in the alpine and at treeline (rock, ice, wind-blown snow). In areas sheltered from the wind, 10 to 40 cm of recent snow lies on a generalized refreezing crust. The upper part of the snowpack, up to 80 cm deep, is moist. The middle of the snowpack consists of alternating well-consolidated snow and refreezing crust.
At mid-mountain, the depth of the snowpack varies from 80 to 200 cm.
A low-pressure system from Colorado will hit the Chic-Chocs this weekend, bringing rain on Saturday and heavy snow on Sunday.
Friday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Southwest winds, 20 to 40 km/h. Low -2. Freezing level at 300 m.
Saturday: Rain beginning midday. Accumulation, 10 to 15 mm. Wind southwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum +6. Freezing level at 2700m.
Sunday: Snow. Accumulation 20 to 30 cm. Wind northwest, 60 to 90 km/h. Maximum 0. Freezing level at 600m.
Monday: Sunny. Wind northwest, 40 to 60 km/h. Maximum 0. Freezing level at 800m.
For more details, consult the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
