The effects of El Nino and La Nina on snow and avalanche patterns in British Columbia, Canada, and central Chile

作者：McClung D M^*

来源：Journal of Glaciology, 2013, 59(216): 783-792.

DOI：10.3189/2013JoG12J192

El Nino and La Nina affect global climate and atmospheric circulation to determine winter temperature and precipitation patterns. Both winter temperatures and the associated precipitation patterns have effects on mountain snow deposition and snow avalanche occurrences. Approximately 25 000 slab avalanches from 30 winters were analyzed in relation to snowfall patterns contrasted for El Nino and La Nina winters for two avalanche areas with different snow climates in British Columbia (BC), Canada. La Nina winters were shown to produce more snow, more avalanches and a higher percentage of dry avalanches than wet avalanches. The data and analysis show that the avalanche patterns depend on the altitude and snow climate. Analysis of snowfall and accident data from the Andes of Chile suggests behavior opposite to BC. El Nino winters in central Chile produced the most snow and, by inference, the most avalanches. This paper is the first to show the links of El Nino and La Nina to snow avalanche activity.

• 出版日期2013