International Symposium on Mitigative Measures against Snow ...

<strong>International</strong> <strong>Symposium</strong> on Mitigative Measures against Snow Avalanches
Egilsstaðir, Iceland, March 11–14, 2008
Icelandic avalanches, “Canadian Level 2” course experience is preferable. The avalanche
forecasters meet regularly each week, and this opportunity is partly used for education
purposes. Three or four times during the winter the forecasters receive outdoor training on
snow structure and avalanche safety. Additionally, the forecasters occasionally assist snow
observers with measurements of avalanches, measurements of snow depths, and repairs to
weather stations.
The snow observers have varying backgrounds. They have either “Canadian Level 1”
experience or a similar level of Icelandic training. Annually, they meet for a two-day seminar,
in addition to working each year with avalanche forecasters or more experience avalanche
workers.
4. WEATHER MEASUREMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION SOURCES
The most valuable information for the avalanche forecasting comes from the snow observers
who monitor the local avalanche activity and the stability of the snow-cover. In the northwest
peninsula, avalanches frequently cut across roads, serving as an indicator of further
avalanche activity above towns and villages.
Seven automatic, acoustic snow-depth meters have been placed in starting zones or on slopes
that allow direct measurements of snow accumulation. Six more temperature-based, snowdepth
measurement stakes are presently being tested. For many years, the snow observers
have used theodolites from fixed locations to manually survey snow depth on stakes in
avalanche starting zones.
The French model Safran-Crocus-Mepra is run at IMO; this model forecasts theoretical
avalanche danger and it models the metamorphism of snow.
The Meteorological Office operates a few automatic weather stations on mountain tops and
has established several automatic weather stations in the lowland regions threatened by
avalanches. The Highway Agency has useful weather stations as well, with many located on
mountain roads. These additional data are available to the avalanche forecasters.
5. WORK PROCEDURES
Code grey
The work of the avalanche forecasters in Reykjavík follows a fixed routine that is well
documented. During the normal winter day (code grey) each avalanche forecaster is on shift
for a week. Every morning, the forecaster meets with the duty meteorologist at IMO to
discuss the weather forecast for the following days. The forecast is signed by both people and
it is catalogued. The avalanche forecaster talks to the snow observers at least twice during the
shift period, but more often if weather or snow conditions are likely to result in avalanches.
The snow observer estimates local avalanche danger using a colour scale, and the estimate is
updated twice a week. The scale of the danger is not communicated to the public at present,
but a change in that policy is under discussion. Data on snow profiles and other related
information are placed on a Web-page, which is open to the snow observers, as well as
members of the civil defence and the police.
116 Monitoring avalanche danger for Icelandic villages