General Information
The Avalanche Report of the European Region
Through the Euregio Avalanche Report and a variety of ancillary products,
the three avalanche warning services of Tirol, South Tirol and Trentino
provide information to the public about the snow and avalanche conditions
in this European region. The information is published in 7 languages:
German, Italian, English, French, Spanish, Catalan and Aranese.
The Euregio Avalanche Report includes a short-term analysis of avalanche
danger and outlook. It takes the form of a warning. This is published at
least once daily during the winter season. It contains a forecast of
avalanche danger for all zones within this European region, Tirol, South
Tirol, Trentino, as its most important and relevant communication.
Additional data related to avalanche-relevant development of the weather
and the structure of the snowpack provide a more precise and in-depth
picture of the current and approaching situation, serving as a basis for
individual assessments and decisions.
Since the Euregio Avalanche Report is a regional forecast of avalanche
danger, it is subject to uncertainties, e.g. geographical variations and
divergences, as well as time factors. For that reason, the information in
the Euregio Avalanche Report cannot replace a local on-site evaluation.
The information provided in the Euregio Avalanche Report is compiled from
limited data and is too generalized to supply point-for-point analysis.
The contents and design of the Euregio Avalanche Report correspond to
current standards and guidelines of the Association of
European Avalanche Warning Services (EAWS).
Target audience
The Euregio Avalanche Report is addressed to all people who are engaged in the mountains in wintertime, either professionally or for recreational purposes, and are exposed to avalanche danger; or to those who are responsible for the safety of others. This includes, among other things:
- Local avalanche warning services and avalanche commissions of towns and roads, as well as safety authorities of mountain cable cars and lifts
- Members of ambulance and rescue services, police and military personnel
- Mountain guides, instructors of snow sports, tourist guides and directors
- Residents of mountain settlements
- Backcountry recreationists in unsecured terrain, e.g. freeriders, backcountry skiers, mountain climbers, ice climbers, snowshoe hikers
If a relatively favourable snow and avalanche situation prevails, the Euregio Avalanche Report serves particularly those persons who take part in winter sports in the mountains as a support for decisions to minimize their own risks. Starting at danger level 3 – considerable the Euregio Avalanche Report contains an increased amount of information for local safety authorities and avalanche commissions. For danger level 5 – very high, when snow sports in backcountry terrain are hardly possible, the Euregio Avalanche Report by and large provides information for local safety authorities and avalanche commissions.
Time of publication and of validity
During the months at the borders of winter, i.e. in early winter and late spring, as well as in the event of heavy snowfall in summertime, there is ordinarily a dearth of information available about snowpack layering and the prevailing avalanche situation. In this period, no danger level map is published. In such cases, the information is broadcast by the avalanche warning services of European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino by means of blog posts. These contain details about the current and approaching developments of the snowpack situation as well as about avalanche danger, which easily may be valid for several days.
In wintertime, the Euregio Avalanche Report is published at least once daily:
- Edition 5 p.m.: Avalanche danger forecast from 5 p.m. that day until 5 p.m. the following day (in 7 languages).
- A coordinated update is possible at 8 am: forecast for that day, valid from 8 am until 5 pm (in 7 languages).
- In principle, an assessment of avalanche danger can also be published at other times. As a rule, however, this is done only rarely.
Contents & Design
In wintertime, the information of the Euregio Avalanche Report is communicated through an interactive map. All contents are displayed according to the principle of the information pyramid (Figure 1). Thus, the avalanche danger level represents the most important information and is therefore listed first.
Figure 1: The information pyramid leads the information flow in the Euregio Avalanche Report.
Further information on the avalanche problems and their danger points,
on the avalanche prone locations, on the description of the snowpack or
on the tendency of the upcoming days, as well as weather information are
only announced in the details.
In the following sections, the contents of the Euregio Avalanche Report
are introduced, their design elucidated.
Avalanche danger and danger level
The forecast of avalanche danger forms the most important part of the Euregio Avalanche Report. It comprises the following:
- The danger level (optionally with elevations data)
- One or two (in special cases even more) current avalanche problems and their spatial distribution
- An assessment of the avalanche danger
- An analysis of the snowpack
- Tendency for the following 24 - 48 hours
- An internet link to the weather forecast
For assessing the avalanche danger level, the three Avalanche Warning Services of the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino use the five-level European avalanche danger scale. Insofar as an overall danger analysis/description is possible, the regions will publish the same danger level, describe the same avalanche problems and point out the same particularly endangered aspects and elevations on a danger map (Figure 2). One overall area can be assigned two different danger levels with different elevation limits designated.
Figure 2: Overview of predominant danger levels in the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino. Regions beyond the borders with the same avalanche danger situation are also included in the analysis. In case of anticipated daytime changes in the situation, these can also be analysed.
In case of anticipated changes in danger level during the course of the day, two maps are used. This double map depicts the morning situation (usually the more favourable scenario) and the afternoon situation. The change in the danger levels is not strictly limited to 12:00 noon, but simply describes the ongoing change throughout the course of the day. A more precise analysis can also follow in the textual part of the Euregio Avalanche Report.
Avalanche problem
An aggregate region can have maximum two typical avalanche problems assigned to it. The following five problems are possible:
- New snow problem
- Wind slab problem
- Persistent weak layer problem
- Wet snow problem
- Gliding snow problem
Thanks to the simple and easily grasped pictograms, citing and pinpointing these problems enables report readers to form an intuitive and concise picture in their minds based on the Euregio Avalanche Report.
Avalanche prone locations
An avalanche problem is usually allocated to a specific, particularly
endangered spatial area, defined by elevation and aspect. The elevation
limits of the problem generally coincide with the elevation limits of
the danger level (Figure 3). If no particular avalanche problem
predominates (often the case at danger level 1 – low) this
information is omitted and a favourable avalanche situation is declared.
The avalanche prone locations where a given avalanche problem prevails
are delineated by the aspect and the elevation limits. The blue-marked
segments of a wind rose are indicators of those aspects. The elevation
can be indicated by a specific borderline or border zone. Apart from
that, the altitude above sea level generally follows as a written number
or the term “treeline” accompanied by a visual depiction with arrows
pointing in the appropriate direction.
Figure 3: Detailed overview of danger levels and avalanche problems including their corresponding danger zones (aspect and elevation)
Assessment of avalanche danger
For each warning region on the map there is a specific assessment of
avalanche danger in that region (Figure 4). This evaluation includes
details about avalanche release probability, expected size of avalanches
and extent of avalanche prone locations. When necessary, references,
indications and recommendations for specific user groups are provided.
At the conclusion of the danger assessment, additional information might
also be supplied to users, e.g. other possible sources of risk or a
particularly unfavourable weather development.
Snowpack
For each warning region on the map there is an analysis of the snowpack (Figure 4). Snowpack structure is an important factor in the formation of avalanches. The analysis is general, as a rule comprising in the main the structure and the stability of the snow cover..
The snowpack structure is defined by the layering of the snowpack and the structural characteristics of each individual layer, i.e. grain types, grain sizes, hardness. The snowpack stability tends to provide a measure of the likelihood of triggering. The snowpack layering by and large determines the stability of the snowpack.
In this section, observed avalanches can be described.
Figure 4: Danger assessment and snowpack analysis are provided as a text. They form the lower part of the Information Pyramid. In addition, information about the predominant danger pattern and the immediate outlook is also provided.
Above the detailed analysis of the snowpack, the appropriate danger patterns are assigned to given avalanche problems. These can be seen as amplifications of the avalanche problems. They designate ten principal and recurring situations that frequently lead to avalanche accidents.
Tendency
Based on the two-day forecast for the weather, the approximate tendency for the avalanche danger which includes the final day of validity of the report is estimated.
Weather
For the forecasted weather conditions, we refer to the information provided by the Weather Services of the provinces Bolzano - South Tirol and Trentino and the forecasts supplied by the Geosphere Austria Weather Service.
Flexible warning regions
In order to clump regions together where the same danger level prevails, 70 micro regions have been defined based on the snow/climatological conditions within the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino. With these micro regions, large warning regions with the same assessed avalanche danger can be flexibly defined.
With this purpose in mind, Tirol is divided into 29, South Tirol into 20 and Trentino into 21 micro regions. These micro regions are defined by specific, accepted designations. They are depicted in Figure 5. Apart from the name, each micro region also has a code number assigned to it (see Table 1).
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Figure 5: The 70 micro regions of the European region Tirol – South Tyrol – Trentino, including clear designation of their respective names (see Table 1)
Basis of Assessment
The avalanche warning has a wide variety of data available to it for purposes of assessing avalanche danger (Figure 6). This information ranges from measurements, observations, on-site assessments all the way to the results of computer models. Only the final coalescence of all these data permits a reliable forecast of avalanche danger amid highly varied situations to be generated.
Figure 6: Data from weather stations and feedback from local and mobile observers, as well as private persons on the current avalanche situation provide the basis for the avalanche forecast. The Euregio Avalanche Report can be received via the Internet, email, mobile services, radio, TV and print media.
Measurements
In order to put together an avalanche report, the Avalanche Warning Services operate a vast network of automated measurement stations throughout the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino. They boast the densest network of high alpine measurement stations in the world available for analysis. The measurements of the automated measuring stations are available to the general public, can be consulted via Internet in the form of tables and graphs under the menu Snow & Weather.
Observations and assessments
For a reliable assessment of avalanche danger, Avalanche Warning Services require current information from vast stretches of backcountry terrain. For that purpose, the three Avalanche Warning Services of the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino also maintain their own network of observers. Depending on the given situation, highly diverse data is collected, e.g. estimates of new snow and snowdrift, observed alarm signs and already released avalanches, alongside personal assessments of current avalanche danger.
Additional information is supplied by the avalanche commissions, local safety authorities, rescue organisations, police and, last but not least, backcountry recreationists. In this connection, reports on avalanches, which have occurred and were triggered by persons, and general avalanche activity are of particular importance. Important: Also avalanches in which persons were involved but not buried in snow or injured, need to be reported to the authorities as soon as possible after the avalanche released in order to prevent an unnecessary, expensive and labor-intensive rescue search. Furthermore, information about the current snow surface, e.g. graupel, surface hoar, rainfall/snowfall altitudes, etc., supply decisive clues about the extent to which the surface continues to threaten as a weak layer, and ultimately, could lead to a change in the danger level. These indicators are captured in the Euregio Avalanche Report, categorized and pinpointed geographically. The more details a given observation contains, the more it contributes to a correct assessment of avalanche danger in the Euregio Avalanche Report.
The following parameters should be supplied under all circumstances, completely apart from any general assessment:
- Location (if it cannot be specified, the nearest known fixed point)
- Altitude or altitude zone
- Aspect
- Slope gradient
Supplying the geographical coordinates and pictures makes possible a more precise assessment of avalanche danger, but this is not the uppermost priority.
Stationary observers
Some of the observers of the Euregio Avalanche Report are stationary. They report avalanches or danger signs and frequently supply their personal assessment of the current avalanche danger. If possible they make a report every day throughout the winter, thereby assuring basic coverage and informational supply. These reports are made between 6:00 and 8:00 am or at midday.
Mobile observers
Some of the observers are completely mobile throughout the mountains
of the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino. They report
whenever they have interesting or relevant information from wherever
they happen to be. These reports can be sent to the Avalanche Warning
Services via messenger services or emailed directly to the Avalanche
Warning Services. In addition, selected mountain guides also make
reports via mobile phone app NATLEFS (not publicly accessible) and
send us their standardized observations and assessments.
Because the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino is so vast,
and the regional differences so great, the official observers cannot
ever capture the entire situation. For that reason, avalanche warnings
are also dependent on the reports from private persons. We would like
to extend a debt of thanks to all those who have assisted us with
their observations and reports. At the same time, we would like to
encourage them to continue giving us their personal impressions (for
details, see Observations and assessments).
Avalanche releases
Apart from avalanche releases, which were observed, avalanche accidents are also reported by the coordination centres and the rescue services. In addition, the Avalanche Warning Services also have available avalanche mapping from a variety of ski areas, as well as the data from automated avalanche detection systems. Reports about avalanche releases can also be made by private persons by registering them at the LAWIS website.
Possibilities and limits of the Euregio Avalanche Report
The Euregio Avalanche Report contains a forecast of avalanche danger. It lies in the nature of all forecasts that these are linked to many uncertainties and thus, could well prove unfounded. The Avalanche Warning Services of the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino make every effort to make the contents and information provided in the avalanche forecast as complete and as correct as possible. However, they can assume no liability for the correctness or completeness of the contents and information supplied.
Avalanche danger means danger to life and limb. The use of information provided by the Avalanche Warning Services of the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino in no way absolves anyone from the personal responsibility of making one’s own personal assessment of the avalanche situation and behaving in ways concordant with that evaluation.
Scope of application
In the Euregio Avalanche Report, only the conditions in backcountry terrain are described which lie within the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino (Figure 5 and Table 1).
Independent assessment
Evaluations in the Euregio Avalanche Report are general, that is to say, specific local conditions cannot be reflected in the forecasts, to say nothing of conditions on a specific mountain slope. The connection between regionally valid danger levels, possible avalanche activity and corresponding consequences, including measures to be taken, must be made by the users of the Euregio Avalanche Report through on-site evaluation. In this assessment, the backcountry recreationsists and safety authorities must apply their own experience and methods of evaluation as supportive aids. Included in this must be knowledge of local weather, snow and avalanche observations, snowpack analysis, studying maps, personal on-site judgment of a given mountain slope, alongside an individual’s own risk considerations. Safety authorities sometimes have the results of artificial avalanche triggerings available for their evaluations. In each individual decision, all available information should be taken into consideration. Information which lead to a conclusion that unstable conditions prevail should be given particular importance.
Precision of data in avalanche forecasts
The forecasts in the Euregio Avalanche Report, similar to those in other warnings of natural disasters, e.g. heavy downpour, earthquakes, rockfalls, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, tsunamis, etc. are based on the laws of probability. In fact, due to our incomplete knowledge of all the geographic, spatial-spread and time-limit developments of the weather and, consequently, of the snowpack layering, a forecast of avalanche danger is by definition uncertain. Above and beyond that, the dangers which stem from avalanches can turn out to be highly diverse even within one indicated danger level.
Disparities between the general forecast of the current avalanche situation on-site are also related to the geographic spread of the danger level (Figure 7) and its elevation limits.
Figure 7: Avalanche danger varies particularly at the borderlines of differently assessed warning regions, as illustrated in the above example along the borders of Tirol and South Tirol
In the selfsame manner, information about location and spread of a given danger zone, namely, aspect and elevation, can also vary, as depicted in Figure 8. Divergences especially along borderlines of the warning regions require on-site evaluation, and personal conduct must be decided upon, corresponding to that assessment.
Figure 8: In reality, the allocated grade of prevalent danger, as well as the aspect and elevation of avalanche prone locations, can easily diverge from the information in the published avalanche forecast.
Generally, there is less information available for high alpine regions (>3000m) than for low (<1000m), intermediate (>1000m) and high altitudes (>2000m). Consequently, all statements made about high alpine regions necessitate further evaluation and verification. Also when the weather situation is swiftly changing, particularly painstaking examination of the situation is necessary, since the Euregio Avalanche Report cannot reflect unpredictable geographic and time-related changes of avalanche danger as a rule.
Products & information channels
In winter the Euregio Avalanche Report consists of an interactive map, which is published daily. In off-season no danger map is published in the Euregio Avalanche Report. In off-season, avalanche danger and snowpack situation is described in our blog.
The Euregio Avalanche Report and the internal contents of our website are published in 7 languages. They are available to readers in German, Italian, English, French, Spanish, Catalan and Aranese.
Interaktive Website
The interactive Euregio Avalanche Report can be consulted on the Internet. Because the website design is based on user input, it can be consulted not only on a desktop computer, but also on mobile pocket devices, e.g. smartphones, tablets, etc. The depictions which appear are, of course, adapted to the device being used.
For further information regarding assessment of avalanche danger within a particular micro region, the user zooms in or fans out over the interactive danger map. Moving the mouse over the map brings forth the composite warning region in detail. By clicking on the appropriate warning region, an additional window opens with more precise altitude information of where the danger level applies as well as the prevalent avalanche problems there. By clicking on DETAILS, a more precise elucidation of the avalanche danger, e.g. the aspects and altitude where the specified avalanche problems prevail, danger assessment, snowpack description and outlook appear in textual form.
Printed version
Parallel to the Euregio Avalanche Report in the Internet, there is
also a printed version available as a PDF file. This version,
including possible updates, is published at the same time as the
online Euregio Avalanche Report. Its contents are identical to it.
In order for the PDF file be downloaded and printed, the PDF
button must be clicked. Then the entire European region can be
selected or merely Tirol or South Tirol or Trentino selected. In
addition, downloading can be activated in colour or in
black/white.
Blog
The
official blog
of the Euregio Avalanche Report can be consulted at the website.
Outside the regular times of publication (for details, see Times
of publication and of validity) this also contains all pertinent
information relating to the avalanche situation.
During the winter season, the Avalanche Warning Services of the
European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino ordinarily also
publish additional details about the current snowpack layering,
the resulting avalanche situation and the background of avalanches
which have released, whether or not persons were involved,
including infrastructure which might have been struck. These blogs
serve to complement and round out the Euregio Avalanche Report.
Nonetheless, they do not replace it.
Additional products
Apart from the Euregio Avalanche Report in the Internet, as a printed version and the additional information in the blog, the Avalanche Warning Services of the European region Tirol – South Tirol – Trentino also have on offer additional products, such as Snow and Weather Maps, Information about Snow Profiles and Weather Station Graphs.
Users can subscribe to receive automatically the Euregio Avalanche Report via email. At each new publication (daily or unannounced) or update of the Euregio Avalanche Report, the recipient is notified via email.
Messenger services
It is also possible to automatically receive the Euregio Avalanche Report itself via various messenger services by subscription. At each new publication (daily or unannounced) or update of the Euregio Avalanche Report, the subscriber is notified. A subscription of the Euregio Avalanche Report is currently possible via Push Notifications and Telegram.
"Lawine Tirol-App"
In addition to the website, there is also an app with several additional functions for use in backcountry terrain. This app is free of charge for Android and Apple devices. It is available at the appropriate app stores. Apart from the information which can also be consulted on the website, the Lawine Tirol-App also has tools with which to report observations, to measure the gradient, aspect and altitude of a slope, as well as diverse checklists for planning a backcountry tour. Beyond that, an emergency call can also be sent directly from the app.
Radio
Tirol: Daily at 5:00 pm, a speaking memo is made available to a variety of media in which the avalanche danger of the following day is described.
South Tyrol: Every Friday afternoon, a speaking memo is generated which is made available to all South Tyrolean radio stations and describes the avalanche situation for the weekend. Due to the limited validity, it can only be sent and/or received between Friday at 4:30 pm and Saturday at 10:00 am.
Trentino: For the province of Trentino, there is currently no comparable service available.
Print media
South Tirol: In the daily newspaper Dolomiten, a short forecast of the danger level is published daily, with indications of details to be found in the Internet.
Tirol and Trentino: Currently in neither of these European regions are there regular reports of avalanche danger published in the print media, unless avalanche danger is heightened.
TV programs
In the regional news broadcasts Tirol heute and Südtirol heute (ORF2), the avalanche situation is broadcast shortly after the respective state/provincial news. This occurs irregularly, most frequently on Fridays, sporadically also on other days, particularly when avalanche danger is heightened.