A natural avalanche cycle occurred from Friday to Saturday on Mount Albert. Do not be lulled into a false sense of security by sunny weather and light winds: wind slabs remain reactive and require time to stabilize. Excellent, safe powder conditions can be found below treeline.
Reactive wind slabs with a thickness of 20 to 50 cm can be found in alpine areas and at the tree line. They form under convexities, breaks in the terrain, under ridges, and in areas subject to lateral loading at the tree line. A cycle of natural avalanches occurred from Friday to Saturday. These slabs therefore need time to stabilize.
On Friday, following snowfall accompanied by wind, several small wind slab avalanches were triggered by skiers and reported in alpine terrain and at the tree line (Albert, Lyall, Ernest-Laforce).
On Saturday, a cornice and a deposit from a size 2 natural avalanche were observed at Grande-Cuve on Mount Albert. It was less than 24 hours old. (see photo)
A size 1 avalanche was triggered remotely on a south-facing slope of Mount Albert on Saturday. It appears to have slid on a more fragile interface in the storm snow.
A cornice and a size 2.5 (possibly size 3) natural avalanche deposit were also reported on Saturday. It is believed to have also occurred on a south-facing slope of Mount Albert. We have little information at this time.
If you head into the backcountry, thanks for sharing your observations on the Mountain Information Network (MIN).
Despite the light winds observed on Saturday, the effects of Friday's winds and those of previous days remain very much present in alpine terrain and at the tree line. The snowpack there shows considerable spatial variability, ranging from old, very firm wind slabs to areas of eroded and compacted snow, as well as pockets of softer wind slabs formed on Friday. Alpine areas exposed to the wind are largely bare.
In sheltered areas, 20 to 25 cm of recent light snow lies on top of a snowpack that is gradually becoming denser, while remaining relatively loose. A layer of faceted grains is present locally at a depth of 40–60 cm, but its fragility remains limited for the time being by the low density of the overlying snow.
The crust from December 20 is between 60 and 100 cm deep. The base of the snowpack is very faceted.
The average thickness of the snowpack at mid-mountain is approximately 120 cm.
WEATHER FOR THE CHIC-CHOCS RIDGES AND PEAKS
Fine weather and light winds on Sunday under the influence of a high-pressure ridge.
Saturday evening and night: Partly cloudy. Light winds from the northwest. Low -17°C.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. Light winds from the north. High -9°C.
Monday: Alternating sun and clouds. Winds from the northwest at 20 to 40 km/h. High -8°C.
Tuesday: Alternating sun and clouds. Light winds from the northwest. High -6°C.
For more details, see the Chic-Chocs alpine weather forecast.
