Some experts say it is also the cause of a recent spike in avalanche deaths. Serious.
But a unique combination of climate and pandemic trends could break the US record. This is why:
Climate creates avalanche conditions …
Slope is clear. But snowpack refers to the accumulation of snow on the ground.
Every storm brings a different kind of snow, which builds up in layers. This year, the weaker layers are deep in the snowpack, while the stronger layers are on top. That makes for an incredibly unstable surface, said Brian Lazar, CAIC assistant director.
“This year we’re seeing some pretty dangerous snow cover, the kind of unique conditions that only happen once every 10 years,” Lazar told CNN. “This structure is very conducive to avalanche production.”
“As with any structure, you don’t want your weakest materials to be at the bottom, so if you build a snowpack structure with weaker layers under stronger layers, that’s the perfect condition to produce avalanches,” he said.
Lazar says the effects of climate change – particularly long droughts followed by intense rainfall events – have contributed to this season’s weak snow package.
“This year was marked by early season snowfall that lingered on the ground, followed by a fairly pronounced drought, and if you have these droughts during cold, clear conditions, the existing snow on the ground turns into weak layers,” said he. .
… but people in the hinterland trigger them
With the coronavirus pandemic still raging in the US, more people than ever are moving to the mountains to enjoy nature and avoid the crowds where the virus spreads. Many start with skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.
Snow Trails, a ski resort in Mansfield, Ohio, has seen a 60% increase in visitors compared to last year’s winter season, spokesman Nate Wolleson told CNN.
According to Dr. Karl Birkeland, director of the US Forest Service’s National Avalanche Center, it is a trend that spans across the country, including many public and national parks.
While more visitors is usually a good thing, this season’s weak snow pack has made winter sports a lot more dangerous – especially in the backcountry, where avalanches are common.
“We are seeing a dramatic increase in usage in our public areas, so there are more people skiing and snowboarding, and it means there are more potential triggers,” Birkeland said. “The pandemic has certainly increased the number of people going into the hinterland, increasing our exposure to potential avalanche accidents.”
CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam reiterated Birkeland’s assessment, saying the weak snow cover coupled with a higher percentage of backcountry traffic contributed to this season’s spike in avalanche killings.
“People just want to play outside and avoid crowds,” he said. “Backcountry skiing offers this escape to an extent.”
But many of these people have no experience in winter sports, are unfamiliar with the terrain, and have no avalanche rescue equipment, said Craig Gordon, a forecaster at the Utah Avalanche Center.
“No matter how you plan to recreate in the backcountry, make sure you get the equipment, training, forecasts and out of harm’s way,” said Gordon.
CNN’s Jennifer Gray and Drew Kann contributed to this report.