Secondary Impacts of Climate Change on the Cryosphere - Chapter 5.1. Avalanches

Abstract

Key messages: • Average avalanche activity has not changed during the last decade, and climate change will only affect the lower altitudes • The event history of avalanches is extremely difficult to relate to climate change aspects, due to two accompanying developments, the increasing role of snow sports and the large investments in technical avalanche defence measures • The last winter with many large avalanches in Europe was 1998/1999, but there are still several fatalities every year, however, most of which occur in relation to snow-sports. • High safety standards with respect to avalanches have been attained in Europe. Maintaining this safety level requires improving technical countermeasures, early warning systems and training of rescue staff. • It is currently still difficult to make a clear forecast for the long term development of avalanche hazards under a changing climate