Avalanche Advisory

Communicating hazards and risk

When communicating avalanche hazards to the public, forecasters use the avalanche danger scale and avalanche problems. These tools share the likelihood and consequences of triggering an avalanche. The avalanche danger scale is the big picture of daily conditions, whereas avalanche problems describe the nature of unstable snow in specific areas.

Avalanche Danger Scale

avalanche problems

There are 9 avalanche problems

Not all avalanches are the same. To communicate the distinct personalities of avalanches, experts identified nine specific problems:

1. Wind Slab

2. Storm Slab

3. Loose Dry

4. Loose Wet

5. Wet Slab

6. Persistent Slab

7. Deep Persistent Slab

8. Cornice Fall

9. Glide

“Avalanche Problem:” ​There are a ​set​ ​of​ ​4​ ​factors​ ​(type,​ ​location,​ ​likelihood,​ ​size)​ ​whose combination​ ​describes​ ​the​ ​avalanche​ ​hazard

• Avalanche Character or Type – One of 9 potential avalanche descriptions

• Location – Where the avalanche is most likely to exist in the terrain, shown with an Aspect/Elevation diagram

• Likelihood – The chance of triggering an avalanche

• Size – The destructive potential of the expected avalanche

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