If you're exploring the leeward slopes of the alpine or the treeline, expect variations in wind slab characteristics. Analyze the terrain carefully before you set off, and be cautious in areas recently loaded by the wind.
In alpine areas and, to a lesser extent, at the treeline, there is a superposition of small, recent, reactive wind slabs and older, thicker slabs that are more difficult to trigger, but have a greater potential to trigger larger avalanches.
In the Alpine and at treeline, the windward slopes are generally free of snow. On the other hand, on leeward slopes, influenced by the steady westerly winds of recent days, the distribution of snow is highly variable. Here, there are recent soft wind slabs, very hard slabs, as well as wind-compacted snow.
Below the tree line and in areas protected from the wind at tree line, there is between 10 and 30 cm of powder. The middle of the snowpack appears to be fairly stable (snowpack consolidation), although facetted grains are developing near the crusts at the base of the snowpack. Snow depth at mid-mountain varies between 90 and 130 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND SUMMITS
Milder temperatures and a few snowflakes starting on Monday
Sunday evening and night: Increasing cloudiness. Wind southwest, 10 to 30 km/h. Low -21.
Monday: Snow starting in the morning, 3 to 5 cm. Wind south, 30 to 50 km/h. Maximum -12C.
Tuesday: Intermittent snow, 3 to 5 cm. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. Maximum -14.
Wednesday: Alternating sun and clouds. Wind northwest, 20 to 40 km/h. High -20.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
