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Avalanche hazard evaluation and prediction at Rogers Pass

From National Research Council Canada

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DOIResolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.4224/20358573
AuthorSearch for: 1
Affiliation
  1. National Research Council of Canada
FormatText, Technical Report
Physical description67 p.
Subjectavalanches; snowfall; snowstorms; climates; hazards; forecasting
Abstract
The development of the avalanche defence for the Trans- Canada Highway through Glacier Park and the associated snow cover, weather and avalanche observations required for the specifications of the defence was the first of its kind in Canada. The current report contains a detailed description of the weather and snow cover observations taken, a summary of the experience gained in making the avalanche hazard evaluation and forecast, and finally an outline of the organization and duties of the future avalanche warning service. Avalanche hazard evaluation can be approached by two methods, the testing method and the analytical method. The testing method is based on snow cover evaluation carried out by observation of the snow profile, a technique used by the Swiss Snow and Avalanche Research Institute. The snow observations can be made by anyone since the conditions are clearly visible. Mountain climbers and skiers have a ` feeling' for snow and need little training to recognize snow that is likely to slide. The analytical method developed by the U.S. Forest Service is based on the observation that most avalanches are caused by snowfall and rain during or immediately afterward. Many factors make up the analytical method, of which snow stability evaluation of the original snow cover is one. Snow and weather observations at various locations in Glacier Park, snow cover type, snow fall and depth of cover are given in detail.
Publication date
PublisherNational Research Council of Canada. Division of Building Research
Series
  • Technical Paper (National Research Council of Canada. Division of Building Research), no. DBR-TP-142.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedNo
NRC numberNRCC 7051
NRC-IRC-466
NPARC number20358573
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Record identifierfec94e91-405f-4700-8d64-fcdb36d55d88
Record created2012-07-20
Record modified2023-02-07
Date modified: