Classification of avalanche probabilty with danger indications to skiers, day-trippers and mountaineers

The unified scale in 5 colours (corresponding to increasing levels of danger) is the result of a laborious agreement between the alpine countries (Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland) reached in April 1993 during the 6th International Meeting of the Working Group of Avalanches Warning Services and used for the first time in the snow bulletins at the beginning of winter season 1993/94

DEFINITIONS
Small avalanches: usually do not cause damages to people; medium avalanches: limited to the slopes; large avalanches: go downhill; steep slopes: slopes with an incline of more than about 30°; steep extreme slopes: particularly unfavourable slopes in terms of the incline, terrain profile, proximity to ridges, smoothness of underlying ground surface; self triggering: triggering not caused by any human intervention; high additional load: e.g. group of skiers, avalanche blasting low additional load: e.g. a skier, a walker

SNOW REPORTS

INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS

REPORT

METEOMAR

FORECASTS

CHARTS

CLIMATE

OBSERVATIONS

WEBCAM

EUROPEAN AVALANCHE HAZARD SCALE

Scale	Danger	Avalanche probability		Indications to skiers, day-trippers and mountaineers
	LOW	Triggering is possible only with high additional loads on a few very steep extreme slopes. Only a few small natural avalanches (sluffs) possible.		Generally favourable conditions for ski-trips
	MODERATE	Triggering is possible with high additional loads, particularly on the steep slopes indicated in the bulletin. Large natural avalanches not likely		Favourable conditions for ski-trips but it's required to adequately consider local dangerous zones
	CONSIDERABLE	Triggering is possible, sometimes even with low additional loads. The bulletin may indicate many slopes which are particularly affected. In certain conditions, medium and occasionally large sized natural avalanches may occur		The possibility of ski-trips is limited and it's required a good ability of local valuation
	HIGH	Triggering is probable even with low additional loads on many steep slopes. In some conditions, frequent medium or large sized natural avalanches are likely		The possibility of ski-trips is very limited and it's required an high ability of local valuation
	VERY HIGH	Numerous large natural avalanches are likely, even on moderately steep terrain		The ski-trips are generally unpossible