Conference Papers
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The relationship between whumpf observations and avalanche activity in Colorado, USA The relationship between whumpf observations and avalanche activity in Colorado, USA
Triggering whumpfs is a primary indicator of unstable snowpack conditions. Although backcountry travelers and avalanche forecasters rely on whumpfs as a warning sign of potential avalanches, there is little formal research to confirm this relationship. This study investigated the temporal correlation between whumpfs and avalanche activity in data from Colorado's Front Range and southern...
Authors
Jason Konigsberg, Ron Simenhois, Karl W. Birkeland, Erich H. Peitzsch, Doug Chabot, Ethan M. Greene
Mapping a glide avalanche with terrestrial lidar in Glacier National Park, USA Mapping a glide avalanche with terrestrial lidar in Glacier National Park, USA
Thorough documentation of large avalanche events is important for forecasting efforts, infrastructure planning, and investigating the processes involved in avalanche formation and release. However, due in part to the isolated and dangerous nature of avalanche terrain, collecting in-situ, spatially continuous, and quantitative information surrounding avalanches remains difficult. Advances...
Authors
James W. Dillon, Zachary Miller, Erich H. Peitzsch, Kevin D. Hammonds
Temporal evolution of slab and weak layer properties during the transition from dry to wet snowpack conditions Temporal evolution of slab and weak layer properties during the transition from dry to wet snowpack conditions
Wet-snow slab avalanches are destructive and may become more prevalent in a warming climate. This type of avalanche remains challenging to forecast because the underlying processes leading to wet-snow slab avalanche release are poorly understood. In this study, we examine the temporal evolution of weak layer and slab liquid water content (LWC), critical cut length, and propagation saw...
Authors
Josh Lipkowitz, Erich H. Peitzsch, Jean Dixon, Marcus Kalb, Douglas McCabe, Griffin Ditmar, Christoph Mitterer
Under-forecasting wet avalanche cycles: Case studies and lessons learned from two wet avalanche cycles in northwest Montana and central Colorado Under-forecasting wet avalanche cycles: Case studies and lessons learned from two wet avalanche cycles in northwest Montana and central Colorado
Predicting the timing and location of natural wet avalanche events is challenging, especially the release of wet slabs. In this study, we describe the existing snowpack structure, weather, and observed avalanche activity for two separate wet avalanche cycles in different avalanche climate types: northwest Montana and central Colorado. In both cases, the regional avalanche forecast...
Authors
Zachary Guy, Erich H. Peitzsch
Spatial extent of forested avalanche terrain impacted by wildfire across the Sawtooth National Forest Spatial extent of forested avalanche terrain impacted by wildfire across the Sawtooth National Forest
Forest structure is a major driver of mountain snowpacks and avalanche occurrence. Healthy forests can reduce the incidence of dangerous slab avalanches, slow avalanches when in motion, shorten their runout distances, and act as a safety buffer for backcountry users, infrastructure, and transportation corridors. Since 1984, wildfire area in the seasonal snow zone of the western United...
Authors
Zachary Miller, John Sykes, Megan Guinn, Benjamin VandenBos, Scott Savage, Erich H. Peitzsch
Big avalanches in a changing climate: Using tree-ring derived avalanche chronologies to examine avalanche frequency across multiple climate types Big avalanches in a changing climate: Using tree-ring derived avalanche chronologies to examine avalanche frequency across multiple climate types
Large-magnitude snow avalanches pose a hazard to humans and infrastructure worldwide. Analyzing the spatiotemporal behavior of avalanches and the contributory climate factors is important for understanding historical variability in climate-avalanche relationships as well as improving avalanche forecasting. This study uses established dendrochronological methods to develop long-term...
Authors
Erich H. Peitzsch, Gregory T. Pederson, Justin T. Martin, Eran Hood, Ethan M. Greene, Karl W. Birkeland, Kelly Elder, Gabriel Wolken, Nickolas E. Kichas, Daniel Kent Stahle, John Harley