Mountain conditions are likely to change in the coming days with snowfall and moderate to strong westerly winds. Carefully assess how well the new snow is bonding to the crust during your travels.
With moderate westerly winds, small wind slabs (5 to 15 cm thick) may form in the upper parts of slopes and below convexities. These may be reactive to skier traffic as they will rest on a melt-freeze crust. Although any triggered avalanches are likely to be small, the main hazard remains the risk of being carried into a long slide on steep, icy slopes.
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).
Between 0 and 10 cm of snow overlies a widespread melt-freeze crust, which is sometimes very hard and sometimes unable to support a skier’s weight. This crust is present throughout the mountains. Beneath it, the snowpack is well consolidated.
At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A low-pressure system originating from Alberta will move across southern Labrador on Wednesday, bringing moderate winds and a few snow showers.
Tuesday evening and night: Increasing cloudiness. Southwest wind at 10 to 30 km/h. Low of -10 °C.
Wednesday: Snow showers ending by midday, followed by clearing in the afternoon. Accumulation of 2 to 5 cm. West wind at 30 to 50 km/h. Temperatures falling to -16 °C.
Thursday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 5 to 10 cm. Southwest wind at 20 to 40 km/h. High of -4 °C. Freezing level at 600 m.
Friday: Intermittent snow. Accumulation of 15 to 20 cm. Northwest wind at 30 to 50 km/h. Temperatures falling to -20 °C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
