Verhalten abseits der Piste
Avalanche Accidents
Wissenswertes über Lawinen
Literatur
Kernteam Lawinenausbildung
Format and structure of National Avalanche BulletinThe National Avalanche Bulletin is published in a consistent, clear format and contains as much information as possible. Its components are a headline, a short text (flash), four uniformly structured sections, and a closing statement concerning supporting products.
Headline SLF logo, serial number, issue date Short text (Flash) The Bulletin is preceded by key words outlining the principal elements of the anticipated avalanche situation. Current conditions Here the latest weather and snow conditions are characterised in just a few sentences. This section highlights the observed precipitation and significant wind and temperatures, by region if necessary. It also describes the condition of the snowpack (cover, layering, strength). If appropriate, observed avalanche activity is also reported.
Short-term development Based on the weather forecast and current snowpack condition, this section describes the critical factors influencing the formation of avalanches in the forthcoming 24-hour period. It focuses on expected amounts of new snow, temperature development, sunshine and radiation, as well as wind conditions. If possible, special regional conditions and divergences are also mentioned. Avalanche danger forecast for the following day This is the central section of the Avalanche Bulletin that contains the avalanche danger forecast. The actual danger level for individual regional groupings is indicated by one of five adjectives in compliance with the European Avalanche Danger Scale, namely low, moderate, considerable, high or very high, together with expressions such as “avalanche danger”, “danger of dry slab avalanches” or “danger of wet snow avalanches”. The regions with the highest danger levels are listed first. Within each group of regions with the same danger level, the particularly critical altitude zones, terrain types and slope aspects are normally described. Each region or constituent part of a region is assigned only one danger level, subdivided into altitude zones if necessary. Terms such as "other areas" or "remaining areas" are used only if a detailed listing of all the included areas would be too long and therefore unintelligible. If necessary, warnings are issued for specific user groups. If further clarification is required concerning the type of avalanche, because both dry and wet snow avalanches are expected, for example, the relevant information is given at the end of this section. If wet snow avalanches are the main source of danger, this danger is described in greater detail. In such a case, the danger of dry avalanches is mentioned at the end of the section entitled "Avalanche danger forecast for the following day". Trend for the following days Based on the medium-term weather forecasts, the expected avalanche danger pattern for the following two days is described in brief. Closing remarks The closing remarks indicate how SLF supporting products can be consulted. En example illustrates
the structure of the National Avalanche Bulletin. The selected structure helps the reader to find the most important information for his purposes in the same place. The unabridged wording is to be reported by the media whenever possible. If this is not possible for reasons of time (radio) or space (newspapers), the coverage can be shortened to comprise individual sections, but the "Avalanche danger forecast for the following day" should always be reported verbatim. Please note that the other SLF publications, such as maps of Switzerland showing danger levels, snow depth distribution, new snow accumulation or snowpack stability, as well as the Weekly report (only in German and French; until now WinterAktuell and Journal Blanc) service, contain essential additional information and thus facilitate an interpretation of the Avalanche Bulletins. |