Easter weekend brings moderate avalanche danger in large parts of the country, from the Finnmark coast to Nord-Trøndelag, according to multiple reports. Yellow avalanche warning is also in effect in large parts of Southwestern Norway, turning to significant avalanche danger on Saturday. On Wednesday, Varsom.no reports avalanche danger level four for Helgeland, Svartisen, Salten, Ofoten, Indre Troms, and Sør-Troms, with large amounts of precipitation expected on an already weak snowpack.
According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Solveig Kosberg, avalanche forecaster at NVE, described that half of all avalanche accidents occur at danger level two (moderate). She noted that people often underestimate the danger at this level. Even at danger level two, one must make their own assessments of the snow cover if traveling in avalanche terrain (terrain 30 degrees or steeper). It is easy to end up in avalanche terrain without thinking about it, she added.
Many probably think 'tut and drive', and that it's perfectly fine. But it's good to know that actually half of all avalanche accidents occur at danger level two.
Better weather leads to more people in the mountains, increasing the statistical chance of accidents at danger level two, according to Daniel Larsen, leader of Red Cross Rescue Corps in Lyngen, as reported by NRK Troms og Finnmark. At higher danger levels, avalanches release spontaneously and weather is often poor, making it obviously dangerous, said Karsten Müller, duty manager at NVE, according to the same source. At danger levels two and three, many people are out and it is still possible to trigger avalanches large enough to injure or kill, Müller added.
Specific avalanche triggers include the sun, which can trigger small avalanches in very steep, sun-facing terrain, according to multiple reports. Rain will weaken the snowpack and naturally triggered avalanches are likely below the snow line, according to Varsom.no. Higher up, wind and snow can form unstable wind slabs when the snow line drops, according to Varsom.no. Snow and wind can also create unstable cornices, which can lead to avalanches, according to Daniel Botnvik.
Is it that people underestimate danger level two? Yes, that's probably it.
The Red Cross is preparing for the large Easter exodus starting Thursday, according to Daniel Botnvik, as reported by NRK Møre og Romsdal. So far this Easter, there have been no major incidents in the mountains in Møre og Romsdal, but at Strandafjellet ski center, eight injuries in the ski lift have been reported, all minor.
Northern Norway has experienced a record-warm March, according to multiple reports. To find a milder start to April in Northern Norway, one must go back to 1930. However, snow is only gone near the coast and low-lying areas; in the mountains it is still winter, said Anders Bjordal, senior engineer at NVE, according to NRK Troms og Finnmark. No flood warnings have been issued by NVE yet.
It's easy to just look at the numbers and think that on a scale of one to five, two is probably fine. Unfortunately, it doesn't take a big avalanche to be dangerous for a person.
The timing of spring flood varies from year to year, Bjordal said. In the north, the spring flood is the major event, with large amounts of snow to melt. Melting is controlled by temperature; a cold, long spring leads to slow melting and gentle runoff. If it gets warm, possibly with some precipitation, snow will melt quickly, leading to high water flow or flood. It is difficult to predict temperature two to three weeks ahead, Bjordal noted. Winter is forecast to return this weekend, according to multiple reports. Last year, an orange warning was issued but no flood occurred due to a cold spring.
People are responsible for their own property: clear waterways and culverts, remove boats and campers from rivers, Bjordal advised. In Kåfjord in 2022, the warmest June in 60 years caused rapid snowmelt and flooding, submerging the local football field. In Kirkesdalen in Målselv in 2012, a large flood caused major material damage after a large precipitation belt from southern Europe stopped there, according to multiple reports.
The most important thing you do is be aware that you are actually in avalanche terrain. Avalanches can occur there even at the 'lower' danger levels.
Mild weather has made ice unsafe in many places, especially along edges, said Mikal Moan, leader of water resource group in Red Cross Rescue Corps, according to a press release. The Red Cross warns of danger of overflow water along lakes and ice surfaces in all of Northern Norway and parts of Trøndelag during Easter. If you fall through ice, try to get back up where you came from, Moan advised. To help someone who has fallen through ice, use a ski pole, stick, or rope to pull them up.
When it's danger level two, there may have been fine weather for several days, and then there are more people in the mountains. Then the chance statistically increases that something will go wrong.
I've done it myself many times and know many who have done it.
Take responsibility for your own and others' safety. Plan well. Follow weather and avalanche warnings. Then you will be well equipped to handle the challenging conditions that may come.
It is only near the coast and low-lying areas that the snow is gone. Up in the mountains, where the water comes from, it is still mostly winter.
Melting is controlled by temperature. If it's a cold and long spring, melting happens slowly. Then it goes calmly and the water runs out gently.
But if it gets a bit warm, maybe with some precipitation on top, then the snow will melt quickly, and if it doesn't become a flood, it will at least be high water flow. So temperature controls most things.
It's difficult to say what the temperature will be in two to three weeks. You can probably see a trend that it will either get warmer or colder.
You are responsible for your own property, so you have to take care of your house. Open up waterways and local culverts, remove boats and campers from rivers.
Then all the snow that remained in the mountains melted in just a few days.
It had been a cold spring and there was a lot of snow in the mountains, and then the temperature hit, with almost 30 degrees Celsius up in the mountains.