International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: The Establishment of the First Public Avalanche Forecasting Service in Sweden

• • Title: The Establishment of the First Public Avalanche Forecasting Service in Sweden

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2016 Proceedings, Breckenridge, CO, USA

    Authors:

    • Per-Olov Wikberg  [ Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Östersund, Sweden ]
    • Petter Palmgren  [ Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Östersund, Sweden ]

    Date: 2016-10-02

    Abstract: Sweden started in 2015 the establishment of its first public avalanche forecasting service. The establishment of the service was initiated by the Swedish government and is a true milestone in the Government's public safety efforts. The first avalanche bulletins was published in January 2016 and daily bulletins has been issued for 3 separate areas. In the coming 3 years the forecasting service will try to cover up to 8 regions, which means most of the Swedish mountain area and its need. In comparison to other European countries Sweden has chosen to establish the forecasting service following international standards using the North American danger scale and the Canadian Conceptual Model as the first country in Europe. This is mainly because that Sweden during more than 15 years has adopted an avalanche education system with a strong relation and influence from the Canadian avalanche education standards. Due to the decision to adopt to the Canadian Conceptual model, Sweden has also decided to use the INFOEX Observation Exchange platform based on OGRS, as the first country in Europe. Avalanche accidents has claimed 29 Swedish fatalities the past 10 years, both in Sweden as well as in other countries. The use of avalanche terrain is increasing as in most countries, which leads to more accidents. The preliminary results and experiences from the first winter of forecasting and communication of the bulletins is that Sweden now has a very reliable forecasting service that works well and that has succeeded in reaching the main user groups.

    Object ID: ISSW16_O18.03.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: Avalanche forecasting, Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)

    Page Number(s): 423-428

    Subjects: avalanche forecasting Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)

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