Item: A PROCESS-BASED DEFINITION OF SITE-SPECIFIC AVALANCHE WARNING
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Title: A PROCESS-BASED DEFINITION OF SITE-SPECIFIC AVALANCHE WARNING
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- Christian Jaedicke [ Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, Oslo Norway ] [ UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Fabiano Monti [ Alpsolut srl, Livigno, Italy ]
- Paola Dellavedova [ Fondazione Montagna sicura, Courmayeur, Italy ] [ AINEVA Associazione Interregionale Neve e Valanghe Trento, Italy ]
- Lukas Stoffel [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF Davos, Switzerland ]
- Sergio Azzarello [ Meteomont - Carabinieri - Servizio Nazionale di Previsione Neve e Valanghe, Italy ]
- Toni Molné [ Oficina de l'energia i del canvi climàtic – Meteorologia, Andorra la Vella, Andorra ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: The definition of site-specific avalanche warning is based on the process of assessing the probability of an avalanche to release in one or several specific avalanche paths and whether its runout might endanger people or infrastructure. This process includes an assessment of the release probability in a predefined avalanche path and assessment of the probability that the avalanche run out length reaches a certain object in the path, given the actual topographical and snow properties in the path. The resulting impact probability is valid for a defined time period and serves as the input to active risk management systems where this avalanche impact probability can be combined with the anticipated consequences of an avalanche. This process clearly differs from regional avalanche warning where the entire avalanche terrain in a region, including all aspects, elevations and weather variations has to be considered to conclude in one avalanche danger rating for the entire region. The new definition is valid for single path operations as well as for warning services that cover a large number of predefined avalanches paths and objects and is therefore independent of the size of the warning area. The international EAWS (European Avalanche Forecasting Services) working group on site specific avalanche warning has elaborated a list of definitions and clarifications of site-specific avalanche warning versus regional avalanche warning. For example, avalanche problems might be used at both scales, while the European avalanche danger scale is strictly limited to the regional services. The information pyramid should be used at all scales, while the target group differs from defined users such as road authorities for site-specific services to the broad public for regional warnings. Recommendations on best practice for site-specific avalanche services are given for the avalanche technical, administrative, and operational aspects of such services. The definition and best practice were adopted as EAWS recommendations at the 2022 general assembly of the European Avalanche Services
Object ID: ISSW2023_P1.15.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Christian Jaedicke
Keywords: avalanche warning, site-specific, regional, local, European Avalanche Warning Services
Page Number(s): 218 - 222
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