International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings - Montana State University Library

Item: Synopsis, an Innovative Platform Supporting Avalanche Hazard Forecasting in France

• • Title: Synopsis, an Innovative Platform Supporting Avalanche Hazard Forecasting in France

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

    Authors:

    • Cécile Coléou  [ Météo-France - CNRS, CNRM, CEN, Grenoble, France ]
    • Hugo Merzisen  [ Météo-France - CNRS, CNRM, CEN, Grenoble, France ]
    • Chantal Gendre  [ Météo-France - CNRS, CNRM, CEN, Grenoble, France ]
    • Yannick Danielou  [ Météo-France - CNRS, CNRM, CEN, Grenoble, France ]
    • Jean-Marie Willemet  [ Météo-France - CNRS, CNRM, CEN, Grenoble, France ]  [ Météo-France, Toulouse, France ]
    • Fabien Marty  [ Météo-France, Toulouse, France ]
    • Antoine Lasserre-Bigorry  [ Météo-France, Toulouse, France ]
    • Samuel Morin  [ Météo-France - CNRS, CNRM, CEN, Grenoble, France ]

    Date: 2016-10-02

    Abstract: For more than 30 years, Météo-France has developed software which integrates a broad diversity of information for the daily operations of avalanche forecasters. Initially designed to renew the tools used for the meteorological forecasting activities of Météo-France, the Synopsis platform has also been developed to account for the specific needs and requirements of avalanche hazard forecasting. Synopsis can directly be used by local observers to register the observations, which are validated in real time by avalanche forecasters before entering the operational databases used by the operational chain of models. Beyond visualization of observed and simulated snow information (including snowpack profiles), Synopsis makes it possible to overlay snowpack model outputs directly onto complementary meteorological geospatial layers (e.g. radar observations, output of numerical weather prediction models). In addition, this allows extending the reach of tools initially devoted to snowpack monitoring and prediction to a wider audience of meteorological forecasters, making it possible to better address snow-related issues including hydrological hazards. Here we provide an overview of the principles and functioning of Synopsis with a focus on its snow and avalanches component, along with illustrations of the combined use of snow and meteorological information during the winter seasons 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 and its impact on the workflow of avalanche forecasters.

    Object ID: ISSW16_O15.02.pdf

    Language of Article: English

    Presenter(s):

    Keywords: avalanche forecast, operational workstation

    Page Number(s): 335-342

    Subjects: avalanche forecasting weather forecasts avalanche hazard

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