Intro to Weather
This is the bottom layer of the atmosphere.
Troposphere.
What sky condition do these two symbols combined represent. O X
Obscured.
Describe the ideal location of a sun pit vs a snow pit.
South facing vs North facing.
List the range of avalanche sizes.
D 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Another name for loose snow avalanches that start at one location on the slope and fan out as they move downhill.
Point Release
Heating is a significant factor in snow stability.
Solar radiation.
What are the precipitation intensity symbols used when it's snowing?
S-1, S1, S2, S3, S10
Describe the main differences between a Test vs Full profile.
Depth, freq of temps, objective, time to complete, freq of profile in a day etc.
List the 3 main zones of an avalanche path.
Start zone, track, run out zone.
These shelves of snow form on ridges as the wind moves snow around.
Cornices
The "Pineapple Express" or "Atmospheric River" is related to what wind direction & air mass
SW & Maritime Tropical
It's just snowed 20cm. The density is between 100-250kg/m3. What type of avalanche hazard are you suspecting?
Slab avalanches.
Shallow snow packs with strong temp gradients tend to develop this type of snow grain.
Facets.
What degree of slope is the most common for slab avalanche formation?
300 to 450
After an avalanche, snow can be left on the slope above the # line.
Hangfire
Describe why one side of a mtn range is wet and the other is dry. Bonus points for this term.
Orographic Lift
Windward and Leeward. Monashees vs Rockies.
A Stevenson screen should be a min of ____ above the snow surface.
1.2 to 1.4m
T0 and T10 temp readings will be altered if this action is not done prior to reading the thermometer.
Shade.
What are the 2 main fatality causes of a buried skier?
Trauma and asphyxiation.
Ice made from super-cooled water droplets & can stick to rocks, trees, snow crystals.
Rime
Describe the ideal weather conditions for SH formation.
Cold, clear, calm winds, high RH, temp inversion.
Snow surface temp cooler than the dew point temp of surrounding air.
What are the major classes of # characterization in regards to stability tests?
Sudden (S planar=pop & S collapse=drops)
Resistant (Prog Comp & Resistant Planar)
Break no sub class
What is the difference between # Initiation and # Propagation and what stability test works for both?
I= The initial action/load/PWL failure event
P= Spread of that action across/thru a layer or slab.
Extended column test.
Name the organizational system used in Av Sar events and 2 strike team examples.
ICS - incident command system.
Transceiver, probe, dog, RECCO, medical, transportation, extraction, technical rescue.
Avalanches that are triggered by other nearby avalanches, riders, helis etc.
Sympathetic avalanches