Use caution around slopes where wind has built up snow, as well as in areas loaded by cross-loading. Human-triggered avalanches are likely, especially in alpine terrain and at treeline.
With new snow and strong winds, new wind slabs reactive to skier traffic are forming and are overlying older, more stubborn wind slabs. As these slabs rest on a melt-freeze crust providing an excellent sliding surface, natural avalanches are possible. Their thickness could range from 20 to 60 cm.
Two avalanches that occurred on Sunday — one natural and one skier-triggered — were reported on Mont Albert in alpine terrain on east and southeast aspects.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
By Tuesday morning, we could receive an additional 10 cm of snow, adding to the 10 to 20 cm already sitting on a widespread melt-freeze crust. The wind has heavily redistributed the surface snow. Within a few turns, you can go from powder to icy surfaces or wind-hardened snow.
The melt-freeze crust is supportive in alpine and at treeline, but remains breakable in places below treeline.
At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system will continue moving across the Gaspésie overnight Monday before a high-pressure system arrives on Tuesday.
Monday evening and night: Snow. 5 to 10 cm of accumulation. Northwest winds at 30 to 50 km/h. Low of -13°C.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. Northwest winds at 20 to 40 km/h diminishing in the afternoon. High of -6°C.
Wednesday: Snow. 10 to 15 cm of accumulation. Southeast winds at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -8°C.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. Northwest winds at 10 to 20 km/h. High of -7°C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
