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European avalanche danger scale (2018/19) (EAWS)
Danger level | Icon | Snowpack stability | Likelihood of triggering | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5 | Very high |  | The snowpack is poorly bonded and largely unstable in general | Numerous very large and often extremely large natural avalanches can be expected, even in moderately steep terrain* |
4 | High | The snowpack is poorly bonded on most steep slopes* | Triggering is likely, even from low additional loads**, on many steep slopes*. In some cases, numerous large and often very large natural avalanches can be expected | |
3 | Considerable |  | The snowpack is moderately to poorly bonded on many steep slopes* | Triggering is possible, even from low additional loads**, particularly on the indicated steep slopes*. In certain situations some large, and in isolated cases very large natural avalanches are possible |
2 | Moderate |  | The snowpack is only moderately well bonded on some steep slopes*; otherwise well bonded in general | Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads**, particularly on the indicated steep slopes*. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely |
1 | Low |  | The snowpack is well bonded and stable in general | Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads** in isolated areas of very steep, extreme terrain*. Only small and medium natural avalanches are possible |
(*) The avalanche-prone locations are described in greater detail in the avalanche bulletin (altitude, slope aspect, type of terrain):
- Moderately steep terrain: slopes shallower than about 30 degrees.
- Steep slopes: slopes steeper than about 30 degrees.
- Very steep, extreme terrain: particularly adverse terrain related to slope angle (more than about 40 degrees), terrain profile, proximity to ridge, smoothness of underlying ground surface.
(**) Additional loads:
- Low: individual skier / snowboarder, riding softly, not falling; snowshoer; group with good spacing (minimum 10 m) keeping distances.
- High: two or more skiers / snowboarders etc. without good spacing (or without intervals); snowmachine; explosives.
Natural:
- Without human influence.
