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, which is labeled 'moderate' but does not signify safety from avalanches. Karsten Müller, a duty officer at NVE, noted that 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. no reports danger level four for avalanches in Helgeland, Svartisen, Salten, Ofoten, Indre Troms, and Sør-Troms on Wednesday, with large amounts of precipitation expected on an already weak snowpack.
During the Easter weekend, moderate avalanche danger is forecast in large parts of the country, from the Finnmark coast to Nord-Trøndelag. In large parts of Southwest Norway, the yellow avalanche warning will change to significant avalanche danger on Saturday. On Sunnmøre, significant avalanche danger at orange level is reported, while 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.
The snow that arrives on Wednesday will also persist the next day. In the north, avalanches can be triggered in wind-drifted snow at high altitudes, and cornices can break. In the terrain below, slab avalanches can release where the cornice falls down.
The sun can trigger smaller avalanches in very steep, sun-exposed terrain. Rain will weaken the snowpack, and naturally released 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.
Yes, that's probably it.
Avalanche terrain is defined as terrain with a slope of 30 degrees or steeper. At danger level two, individuals must make their own assessments of the snowpack if traveling in avalanche terrain. According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Daniel Larsen, leader of the Red Cross Rescue Corps in Lyngen, described that when there is danger level two, the weather has often been nice for several days, leading to more people in the mountains.
According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Karsten Müller described that at higher danger levels, avalanches can release spontaneously, and the weather is often poor. 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 Rescue Corps, there is now a danger of overflow water in all of Northern Norway and parts of Trøndelag, and 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.
If someone falls through the ice, they should try to get up at the spot where they fell in, and rescuers should use a ski pole, stick, or rope to pull the person up. So far during Easter, there have been no major incidents in the mountains in Møre and Romsdal. At Strandafjellet ski resort, eight injuries in the ski lift have been reported, but the injuries have been less serious.
The number of avalanche accidents across all regions during the Easter period remains unknown, as do specific measures authorities are taking to mitigate high avalanche danger in areas like Helgeland and Svartisen. It is also unclear if there are any reported missing persons or ongoing rescue operations due to avalanches or ice incidents, and the expected duration of the danger level four warning in northern regions has not been specified.
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 there is 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, avalanches can release spontaneously, and the weather is often poor, so then it's obviously dangerous for people to travel in the mountains.
But you must remember that when you enter 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 out, and it is still possible to trigger avalanches large enough to injure or kill people. It is often an unfortunate combination.
You must first check if you are going into avalanche terrain. That is the most important thing. Use the Varsom app. There is a great map that shows where the avalanche terrain is. But if you plan to go into avalanche terrain, you actually have to assess the snowpack yourself.
People must themselves take responsibility for their own assessments.
If you are in avalanche terrain, you must be able to check whether there is an avalanche problem or not. Is there wind-drifted snow or wet snow that can release, or is there a persistent weak layer, you must assess it yourself. And in addition, you must look at the consequences.
Yes, just today I got an email from someone asking if it is safe to go to Rasletind tomorrow. Not everyone dares to ask, but there are many who are a bit unsure about where it is safe and where it is not safe to go.
I hope there will be time for at least one trip. It has been a poor season, so I am probably a bit hungry for it.