Avalanche forecasting and satellite-based avalanche detection

About the workshop

An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow and ice down a mountainside that has catastrophic impact on people living in the vicinity. Snow cover on steep mountain faces and the consequent risk of avalanches are a serious natural hazard in many parts of the world. Avalanches are a regular occurrence in high mountains, but there is limited research on avalanches in the HKH region and how the frequency and type respond to a changing climate.

To enhance cooperation on mapping and forecasting of avalanche risks, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and ICIMOD are organizing a workshop on avalanche forecasting and satellite-based avalanche detection. The workshop is part of the NVE-ICIMOD joint project “snowAMP2” and will be arranged as a videoconference.  The workshop features presentations by avalanche experts from NVE, the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), and ICIMOD, as well as following discussions on the needs and challenges of avalanche forecasting and detection in the mountain ranges of Norway and Nepal.