Avoid avalanche terrain during periods of rain. The greater the rainfall amounts, the more destabilized the snowpack will become. Wait for colder temperatures to return before venturing into terrain where avalanches may occur.
In steep, wind-sheltered areas, moist surface snow may be reactive to skier traffic. Although small, these avalanches could carry users into terrain traps.
Extreme winds strongly affected the snow during the day on Monday, down to below treeline. The wind slabs that formed will evolve into a wet slab problem. These slabs may be particularly reactive and could produce both natural and human-triggered avalanches. These slabs, which may reach up to 40 cm in thickness, rest on a melt-freeze crust that promotes snowpack sliding.
Numerous cracking was observed on Monday in newly formed wind slabs.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Up to 15 mm of rain is expected by midday Tuesday. This rain will significantly affect the surface snow, including both wind slabs and low-density snow in wind-sheltered areas.
At all elevations, a hard melt-freeze crust — and in some places an icy crust — is present either at the surface or buried up to 40 cm deep. This crust will provide an excellent sliding surface for wet snow avalanches.
At mid-elevation, the average snowpack depth is around 140 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
A strong low-pressure system crossing the province will bring violent southerly winds to the Chic-Chocs along with significant rainfall. Precipitation will taper off by midday Tuesday.
Monday evening and night: Rain. Around 10 mm of accumulation. South winds 90 to 130 km/h. High near +10°C. Freezing level rising to 3500 m.
Tuesday: Rain in the morning followed by clearing in the afternoon. Around 5 mm of rain and possibly 2 to 8 cm of snow. Southwest winds 70 to 100 km/h. Temperatures falling to -5°C in the afternoon. Freezing level dropping back down to valley bottom.
Wednesday: Sunny. Northwest winds 40 to 60 km/h. High of -19°C.
Thursday: Cloudy. Southwest winds 40 to 60 km/h. High of -9°C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
