How to cite: Milian, N. (2019) 2017-2018 Winter - Favorable Avalanche Conditions in Southern Carpathians. 2019 ”Air and Water – Components of the Environment” Conference Proceedings, Cluj-Napoca, Romania, p. 399-406,
DOI: 10.24193/AWC2019_39.2017-2018 WINTER - FAVORABLE AVALANCHE CONDITIONS
IN SOUTHERN CARPATHIANS
Narcisa MILIAN
ABSTRACT. – The paper presents and analyzes the variations of the measured parameters at the meteorological stations, favoring the avalanches of the winter season 2017-2018 in the areas monitored by Romanian National Administration of Meteorology. The analyzed parameters, both meteorological and snow specific, are measured in daily observations and weekly measurements at Bâlea-Lac, Vârfu-Omu, Sinaia and Predeal meteorological stations, since February 2004. Annual reports include studies about the evolution of avalanche risk during winters (***, Bilanţul nivologic al sezonului de iarnă, 2011-2017). Every year, the favorable conditions leading to avalanche triggering were analyzed (Milian,2015; Grecu C. & al. 2016; Milian, 2016; Reckerth & al,2018). All measured and observed data, as well as are included in a database to study conditions favorable to avalanche triggering and its use to better estimate avalanche risk and mitigate its environmental and human impacts (Esteban P. & al, 2005). First snowfalls have fallen at 7 October 2017, forming a first snow layer, that melted days after. A new continuous snow layer was formed after 24 October 2017 at Vârfu-Omu and at all other mountainous stations after 28 November. The snow has maintained in the upper areas of Bucegi and Făgăraş Mountains until 17 May 2018 at Bâlea-Lac and May 22, 2018 at Vârfu-Omu. Avalanche triggering conditions were due most to high temperatures and/ or sudden temperature growth, and less to significant snowfalls and conditions occurring within the snow layer, resulting of unstable structures.
Keywords: avalanche, ground pressure, temperature, snowfall, Southern Carpathians.
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