International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Consistency in regional avalanche forecasts: a look across borders

• • Title: Consistency in regional avalanche forecasts: a look across borders

    Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria

    Authors:

    • Frank Techel  [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos ]  [ University of Zurich, Department of Geography, Zurich ]
    • Elisabetta Ceaglio  [ Fondazione Montagna sicura, Ufficio neve e valanghe, Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, Italy ]
    • Cécile Coléou  [ Météo France, Direction des Opérations pour la Prévision, Cellule Montagne Nivologie, Grenoble, France ]
    • Christoph Mitterer  [ Lawinenwarndienst Tirol, Abteilung Zivil- und Katastrophenschutz, Innsbruck, Austria ]
    • Samuel Morin  [ Météo France - CNRS, CNRM UMR 3589, Centre d'Etudes de la Neige, Grenoble, France ]
    • Ross S. Purves  [ University of Zurich, Department of Geography, Zurich ]
    • Francesca Rastelli  [ Meteomont Carabinieri, Bormio, Italy ]

    Date: 2018-10-07

    Abstract: Consistency in the way avalanche hazard is communicated in avalanche forecasts is essential to avoid misinterpretations by users utilizing bulletins issued by different warning services, for example, when backcountry recreationists travel across national or regional borders. Comparing avalanche forecast products in the European Alps, we note differences in the forecasts in respect to their issuing times and the duration the forecast is valid, but also in the spatial scale of the warning regions underlying the forecasts. Furthermore, variations exist in the way elevational gradients or temporal changes in avalanche hazard are communicated. Further, when exploring the use of the five-level ordinal European Avalanche Danger Scale, which is used by all warning services in the Alps, some differences appear. These are most obvious at danger levels 4-High and 5-Very High. These inconsistencies confirm the need to further harmonize the issued forecasts and the way avalanche hazard is communicated to increase consistency in the forecast products, and hence reduce misunderstandings for the travelling user.

    Object ID: ISSW2018_O17.2.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: avalanche forecasting, avalanche danger level, consistency, European Avalanche Warning Services

    Page Number(s): 1496-1500

  • Get Full Article

Back to Home page