The Evolution Of Mount Washington Avalanche Center Forecasts

[mattdrayer]

FYI:

https://www.mountwashingtonavalanchecen ... forecasts/

"Along with an overall expansion [of forecast territory], we have reduced the number of forecast zones in Huntington and Tuckerman Ravine from eighteen to seven to more accurately use the North American danger scale in the forecast. Additionally, our goal is to have our forecast available online by 7am every day. "

"It’s important for you to realize, and to help spread the word, that expanding our forecast zone requires that we move away from micro-scale forecasting. Slope scale forecasting has been the historic norm here and has some advantages but also has a tendency to remove some of the decision making burden from the climber or skier. Rather than providing a danger rating for each gully, we will provide information to help you identify the avalanche problem type wherever it is found in our forecast zones. This will allow you to align your mitigation strategy to the terrain and the character of the avalanche (or long sliding fall as is, unfortunately, often the case). We will continue to provide an assessment of the size and distribution of the problem as accurately as possible and strive to effectively communicate our degree of uncertainty in our forecast. Now more than ever, you will need to perform your own assessments in the field to determine the size and distribution of the avalanche problem."

If you're planning to be heading into the mountains this winter, whether it be climbing, skiing, or peakbagging, taking an AIARE course is more important than ever before.

Matt

[mattdrayer]

https://www.avalanchecourse.com/

AAI Avalanche Fundamentals Course (Online, $30)
Welcome to the AAI avalanche fundamentals course! This course is designed as an introduction to the world of snow and avalanches or as a refresher course at the beginning of the season. This course is great for folks new to backcountry travel, as well as folks who have been doing it for a while. This online course is NOT a substitute for a course with field time. If you are new to the backcountry, take a Level 1 course before you venture into the backcountry.

Contents
1 Welcome!
2 Ski Area vs. Backcountry
3 What to wear when you travel in the backcountry
4 What to Carry in a Backcountry Pack
5 Getting ready for a day in the backcountry
6 Introduction to the Forecast Page
7 Avalanche Danger Ratings and Problems
8 Introduction to Avalanche Terrain
9 Route Planning fundamentals
10 Snowpack
11 Human Factors and Group Dynamics
12 Introduction to Avalanche Rescue
13 Avalanche Course Flow Chart: What course is right for you?

[Fuhron]

Did the Avalanche Ratings change at all over the years?