Monitor solar warming on Wednesday. If the surface snow becomes wet, change aspect and favor slopes with less sun exposure.
If solar warming sufficiently heats the recent surface snow from earlier this week and it becomes wet, small avalanches may be triggered, either naturally or by users.
Pay close attention to areas of recent snow accumulation, near rocky cliffs, and in terrain traps, where even a small avalanche can have serious consequences.
Between 2 and 10 cm of dry snow rests on a 3 to 5 cm thick melt-freeze crust. Below this crust, the snowpack is moist and becomes fully isothermal at lower elevations. On north to east aspects, a mid-March melt-freeze crust is still present at a depth of 10 to 50 cm.
At mid-elevations, the average snowpack depth is approximately 125 cm.
No new avalanches have been observed or reported.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A high-pressure system settled over the Gaspé Peninsula for the next few days, bringing fair weather and light winds.
Tuesday night: Clear. South winds at 10 to 30 km/h. Low of -12 °C. Freezing level in the valley.
Wednesday: Sunny in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Southwest winds at 10 to 30 km/h. High of 0 °C. Freezing level at 650 m.
Thursday: A mix of sun and cloud. North winds at 10 to 30 km/h. High of 1 °C. Freezing level at 500 m.
Friday: Snow, with accumulations of around 5 cm. Northeast winds at 30 to 50 km/h. High of 0 °C. Freezing level at 500 m.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
