According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Solveig Kosberg, an avalanche forecaster at the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), described that half of all avalanche accidents occur at danger level two. Danger level two is called 'moderate' but does not mean the mountains are safe from avalanches. At danger levels two and three, there is a combination of many people outdoors and the possibility of triggering avalanches large enough to injure or kill people, according to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Karsten Müller, a duty officer at NVE, described.
The Easter weekend brings moderate avalanche danger in large parts of the country, from the Finnmark coast to Nord-Trøndelag. Yellow avalanche warnings are also in effect in large parts of Southwest Norway, which will transition to significant avalanche danger in several places in the region on Saturday. In Sunnmøre, significant avalanche danger is reported at the orange danger level. On Wednesday, Varsom.no reports danger level four for avalanches in Helgeland, Svartisen, Salten, Ofoten, Inner Troms, and South Troms. In Romsdal and Trollheimen, moderate avalanche danger is forecast for Wednesday.
Many probably think 'toot and go', and that it's perfectly fine. But it's good to know that actually half of all avalanche accidents occur at danger level two.
Weather conditions are contributing to the elevated avalanche risk. Rain will weaken the snowpack, and naturally triggered avalanches are likely below the snow line. Higher up in the mountains, wind and snow can form unstable wind-drifted snow slabs when the snow line drops lower. Large amounts of precipitation are expected on an already weak snowpack. Daniel Botnvik of the Møre and Romsdal Red Cross reported that snow and wind are creating unstable cornices and leading to avalanches.
Human factors amplify the danger during the Easter period. According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Daniel Larsen, leader of the Red Cross Help Corps in Lyngen, Troms, described that better weather often occurs when the avalanche warning is yellow, leading to more people in the mountains and statistically increasing the chance of accidents. At higher danger levels, avalanches can release spontaneously, and the weather is often poor, making it obviously dangerous for people to be in the mountains, according to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Karsten Müller described. The Red Cross is preparing for the large Easter exodus starting from Thursday.
Yes, that's probably it.
Safety experts emphasize personal responsibility in avalanche terrain. According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Solveig Kosberg described that even at danger level two, you must make your own assessments of the snowpack if you are moving in avalanche terrain, defined as slopes of 30 degrees or steeper. The Red Cross urges hikers and ice fishers to be extra attentive along water and ice surfaces during Easter, according to Mikal Moan, leader of the water resource group in the Red Cross Help Corps.
Additional hazards include ice safety and overflow water dangers. According to Mikal Moan, there is currently a danger of overflow water in all of Northern Norway and parts of Trøndelag. Mild weather has made the ice unsafe in many places, especially along the edges.
It's easy to just look at the numbers and think that on a scale from one to five, two is probably fine. Unfortunately, it doesn't take very large avalanches to be dangerous for a person.
Current incident reports indicate limited major events so far. So far during Easter, there have been no major incidents in the mountains in Møre and Romsdal. At Strandafjellet ski resort, eight injuries have been reported in the ski lift area so far, all minor.
The most important thing you do is to be aware that you are actually in avalanche terrain. Avalanches can occur there even at the 'lower' danger levels.
When it's danger level two, the weather has perhaps been nice for several days, and then there are more people in the mountains. Then the chance statistically increases that something will go wrong.
At higher danger levels, there are sudden avalanches that release by themselves, and the weather is often poor, so then it's obviously dangerous for people to be in the mountains.
But you must remember that when you go into avalanche terrain, there is a possibility that you trigger an avalanche. The avalanche danger is always present. The dangers are just about location and probability.
So at danger levels two and three, we have a combination where we have many people outdoors, and it is still possible to trigger avalanches large enough to injure or kill people. It is often an unfortunate combination.