With 146 Deaths, Europe's Avalanche Season Exposes a Persistent Weak Base Layer Problem - SnowBrains

"The main issue that led to the high avalanche deaths this season stemmed from a persistent weak base layer that formed early in the season."

"A weak early-season snowpack laid the groundwork for months of instability, and when winter storms arrived, the result was a prolonged period of heightened danger across the continent."

"Thin, inconsistent snowfall across much of the Alps helped form a deeply buried persistent weak layer, known in German as the 'Altschneeproblem' (old snow problem)."

The European ski season recorded 146 avalanche deaths, significantly higher than last year's 70 and above the 20-year average of 104.35. A weak base layer formed early in the season contributed to this increase. Statistical analysis indicates that while this season's fatalities are slightly above one standard deviation from the average, they are not unprecedented. The season was characterized by a prolonged period of instability due to a weak early-season snowpack, leading to heightened danger when winter storms arrived.

Read at SnowBrains