Special Avalanche Warning for the Western Chic-Chocs – March 12, 2026
An avalanche warning is issued for the areas from the western Chic-Chocs to Murdochville, including the northern coast of Haute-Gaspésie. The warning is valid from Friday, April 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. until Monday, April 6, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. An update will be issued late Monday afternoon, if necessary.
Friday’s storm will end early Saturday morning, giving way to a new storm beginning on Sunday. Heavy precipitation accompanied by strong winds will affect the region and continue through Sunday evening. Between Friday evening and Sunday evening, more than 20 to 40 cm of snow could accumulate, creating dangerous avalanche conditions across all regions highlighted on the warning map. This precipitation will be accompanied by strong to extreme winds blowing mainly from the southeast, then shifting to the northeast and north on Saturday, and finally turning southward on Sunday, coinciding with the heaviest precipitation. These winds will promote snow drift and the formation of deeper accumulations in leeward areas, which will vary depending on the timing during the storm. On Sunday, a new storm will bring additional snowfall; rising temperatures near freezing overnight from Sunday to Monday will increase the danger associated with all these accumulations. Depending on the area and the freezing level (300 m), a period of rain could follow the snow.
At treeline and alpine terrain, storm slabs will be widespread and could reach impressive depths. In forested areas and wind-sheltered zones, rapid snow accumulation could trigger slab avalanches as well as loose snow avalanches where the snow has not formed slabs.
With a considerable and possibly high avalanche danger for Sunday and Monday, a conservative approach in avalanche-prone terrain, as well as increased caution, are therefore recommended for the coming days.
Special note for snowmobilers:
Snowmobilers are advised to exercise extra caution and avoid micro features that could trigger avalanches. Slopes located below logging sites or in forest cutting areas can act as ideal starting points for storm slab avalanches, which are particularly sensitive to the passage of snowmobiles. These areas may also contain natural hazards such as trees, deep depressions or streams. Even a small avalanche could have serious consequences. Choose low angle terrain that is less exposed to avalanche hazards.
Have you witnessed an avalanche? Report it on the Mountain Information Network: https://avalanche.ca/fr/mountain-information-network/submit
