Evolution of snow slope stability during storms

The evolution of snow slope stability during storms is investigated using s imple models to calculate the shear strength of a buried layer (from its de nsity) and the imposed shear stress (from the weight of the overburden). Th ere is a competition between the rate of loading from new snowfall and the rate of strengthening of buried layers. in theory, unstable conditions will occur when the stability index Sigma(z)(t) (the ratio of the shear strengt h of a buried weak layer at depth z to the shear stress imposed by the over burden) approaches 1.0. A related index of practical interest is the expect ed time to failure t(f)(t) (the time when Sigma(z)(t) will become critical if the current conditions continue). The model is tested using measurements and observations of avalanche activity during three storm cycles at Snoqua lmie Pass in the Washington Cascades. In two cases, the avalanche activity was high while in the other, few avalanches released. t(f)(t) proved to be a better discriminator between stable and unstable conditions than Sigma(z) (t). This is because it contains information about both the magnitude and t he present trend of Sigma(z)(t). Even if Sigma(z)(t) is close to critical, if it is not decreasing then slopes will remain stable. Results indicate th e model may prove useful for forecasting avalanches during storms. The mode l is suitable for operational use because the required input (hourly measur ements of precipitation, air temperature and new snow density) is routinely measured at many study sites. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.