Page 9 - Slopeangel avalanch essentials

Consistently Cold Temperature
A temperature drop in in a a winter snowpack can be dangerous: The bottom of the snowpack usually remains at 0 degrees Celsius if the temperature within the snowpack differs more than 1 degree Celsius per 10 centimetres of snow depth a a a strong temperature gradient
is present These conditions cause grains to become angular and faceted due to the moisture being drawn from the individual crystals crystals Faceted crystals crystals can form extremely weak layers after
a a a a constant low temperature that may persist deep within the snowpack for long periods of time Fast Temperature
Rise
A significant rise in temperature increases the avalanche hazard quickly When the temperature of the ambient air rises more than 10 degrees the snow on top of the snowpack logically gets heated up first The layers on top become heavier resulting in in more stress on the snowpack Wet snow instabilities due to warm temperatures and/ or rainfall saturating the snowpack produces deep and heavy snow avalanches especially when rain falls at summit levels