Item: AVALANCHE FORECASTING IN FINLAND – PRESENT STAGE AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
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Title: AVALANCHE FORECASTING IN FINLAND – PRESENT STAGE AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop 2024, Tromsø, Norway
Authors:
- Kaisa Landon [ Finnish Meteorological Institute ]
- Eeva Mäkelä [ FINLAV Finnish Avalanche Education ]
Date: 2024-09-23
Abstract: There are comparably few avalanche-prone areas in Finland, however several avalanches occur in Northern Finland every winter. Fortunately, Finland has had only a few avalanche fatalities inside its national borders, but several close calls take place each year. Back-country activities and free skiing have gained popularity over the past 20 years amongst Finns. Free-riders and other outdoor enthusiasts are likely to take their trips to the areas in question due to the mountainous scenery and speedy rides. This adds to the risk of severe avalanche accidents happening in Finland. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has issued avalanche forecasts to six avalanche prone areas in Northern Finland based mainly on weather forecasting models and observations from automatic weather stations since 2003. There are also a few FINLAV/SVELAV/CAA -educated actors issuing local avalanche forecasts in Lapland based on a voluntary service for local communities. Due to the remarkable increase in the popularity of back-country winter activities it is vital to reach the wider public with information about the avalanche conditions and knowledge. Developing services offering information and knowledge is paramount. Not only for the free riders and professionals, but also for the recreationists who are not familiar with the avalanche danger when travelling in Lapland. The quality of the FMI avalanche forecasts could be improved with manual observations of snowpack stability and avalanche problems in the avalanche terrain. The goal is to produce a high-quality forecast for all target groups that benefit from it. FINLAV – Finnish Avalanche Education has created an education program increasing avalanche knowledge among the active winter recreationists and professionals who need avalanche knowhow at their work. The objective in the future is to increase awareness among public and winter recreationists and provide a training path for professionals benefiting the forecasting service. We aim to do this by building close co-operation between the meteorologists at FMI and the professionals with avalanche competence. Co-operation with Lapland Rescue Department, Police and Metsähallitus (Parks and Wildlife Finland) will also be improved. The tools for avalanche forecasting and services have experienced great progress in our neighboring countries during the last decades. We aim to develop the Finnish avalanche service in co-operation with our neighboring countries and other stakeholders to support the needs of society.
Object ID: ISSW2024_P1.28.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Kaisa Landon and Eeva Mäkelä
Keywords: Avalanche forecast, Finland, FMI Finnish Meteorological Institute, FINLAV Finnish Avalanche Education
Page Number(s): 248 - 251
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