AIARE Observation Check List

Printable ALARE Observation Checklist. pdf

AIARE Observation Checklist ©
AVALANCHE DANGER RATING
Current DANGER RATING?	Low (Green)	Moderate (Yellow)	CONSIDERABLE (Orange)	HIGH / EXTREME (Red)
Danger TREND?	Decreasing or no change	Decreasing or no change	INCREASING	INCREASING RAPIDLY
AVALANCHE ACTIVITY
WHEN?	Past	Past	Recent or CURRENT	CURRENT
WHERE in the terrain?	No avalanches or isolated to extreme terrain	Limited to specific features on steep/extreme terrain; No to few naturals	LOCALIZED to areas w/ certain snowpack characteristics; Few to some naturals in steep terrain	Any moderate to steep terrain; NATURAL AVALANCHE CYCLE
Size / Character?	Sloughs or small slabs	Small to medium slabs	Some small to medium slabs Isolated larger slabs w/ GREATER RUNOUT EXTENT	WIDESPREAD SLABS w/ FULL RUNOUT POTENTIAL all sizes
SNOWPACK OBSERVATIONS
Cracking, Whumphs & Test skiing results	None or few	Isolated	Instability localized to specific terrain features	WIDESPREAD Instability
Storm Snow and Wind?	Little or none	<8" (20cm) storm snow & a few thin wind slabs	≈12" (30cm) RECENT STORM SNOW &/or wind slabs on lee or cross-loaded slopes	>12" (30cm) STORM SNOW + RECENT WIND LOADING + RISING TEMPS
Slab stiffer (>1 hardness step) than underlying weak layer?	No	Possibly in specific terrain	Yes, localized by aspect, elevation & terrain configuration	WIDESPREAD & REACTIVE PERSISTENT WEAK LAYER UNDERLYING A SLAB
Weak layer includes persistent grain type?	No	Possibly in specific terrain	Possibly, localized by aspect, elevation & terrain configuration
Weak layer can be triggered? ≈ 8"– 36" deep (20 – 85cm)?	No	Possibly in specific terrain	Yes, localized by aspect, elevation & terrain configuration
Snowpack Tests?	No results / Breaks	Mostly Resistant fractures (Q2) or inconsistent Large Column Tests	Mostly SUDDEN fractures (Q1) or positive Large Column Test results	Consistent SUDDENfractures (Q1) & positive Large Column Test results
WEATHER OBSERVATIONS
Precipitation Type / Rate?	NO or Light Snow <0.5" (≈1cm) / hr	Moderate Snow <1"hr (≈2cm) / hr	HEAVY SNOW ≈2" (≈5cm) / hr or RAIN	PROLONGED STORM VERY HEAVY SNOW >2" (>5cm) / hr or RAIN
Blowing Snow?	None	Light; Limited & localized blowing snow	Moderate; Some LEE/CROSS SLOPE LOADING	Moderate; EXTENSIVE LOADING
Temps / Radiation?	Cold - Cool Little Radiation	Cool - Warm Moderate Radiation	RECENT WARMING EVENT ≥32°F (0°C) air temp w/ strong radiation or rain on snow	RAPID WARMING
Last Red Flag Storm Ended?	> 48 hours ago	36 - 48 hours ago	< 36 HOURS AGO	ONGOING
Consider any factors that can reduce your ability to make quality observations. Circle critical factors and relate this checklist to your Decision Making Framework.