Item: Effects of El Niño and La Niña on Snow Avalanche Patterns
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Title: Effects of El Niño and La Niña on Snow Avalanche Patterns
Proceedings: Proceedings, 2012 International Snow Science Workshop, Anchorage, Alaska
Authors:
- D.M. McClung [ Department of Geography, University of British Columbia ]
Date: 2012
Abstract: El Niño and La Niña affect global climate and atmospheric circulation to determine winter temperature and precipitation patterns. Both the winter temperatures and the associated precipitation patterns have effects on mountain snow deposition and snow avalanche occurrences. In this paper, approximately 25,000 slab avalanches collected over 30 winters are analyzed with respect to their relation to snowfall patterns contrasted for El Niño and La Niña winters for two avalanche areas in two different snow climates in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. La Niña winters are shown to produce more snow, more avalanches and a higher percentage of dry avalanches compared to wet avalanches. For the data analyzed, it is suggested that the results depend on the altitude and snow climate. Analysis of snowfall data from the Andes of Chile suggests the opposite behavior to British Columbia. El Niño winters in central Chile produce the most snow and, by inference, the most avalanches.
Object ID: issw-2012-256-258.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): unknown
Keywords: climate change impact, maritime climates, dry slab avalanche
Page Number(s): 256-258
Subjects: slab avalanches maritime climate
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