The use of a numerical snow-drift model as a decision making tool in the planning of avalanche protection measures.

Abstract

Blowing and' drifting snow is not only a major factor in the assessment of the acute avalanche danger, its contribution to the snow distribution also influences land-use planning. In many parts of alpine terrain end an ge red areas are secured by expensive avalanche protection measures. The effidency of these measures can be affected by the redistribution of snow due to wind. Numerical snow-drift simulation could providc useful information at the planning state of protection measure to increase their effidency and so to reduce costs.