Lawinenwarnung

Frank Techel is an avalanche forecaster and researcher at the SLF. He deals with the integration of models into operational avalanche forecasting and believes that there is great potential to improve avalanche warning when humans and machines work together. In the interview, he explains how "AI" supports the human SLF team in producing the bulletin and where the limits of the models lie.

Lo.La Peak Solutions GmbH is celebrating a special anniversary! 10 years full of valuable experiences and unforgettable moments. Always in focus: utilising the knowledge of experts in the field and drawing the best from it to develop customised offers for our customers and partners. It has always been important to us to remain authentic and to go our own way.

An essential tool for off-piste skiing and ski touring is the avalanche report, also known as the avalanche bulletin. This has changed considerably over time. Not only does it appear more frequently - once or twice a day - but its spatial resolution has also become more detailed and precise. With the advance of artificial intelligence and the integration of model-based forecasts, new perspectives are opening up in avalanche warning.

As the avalanche danger can vary greatly, even on a small scale, due to different factors such as precipitation distribution or complex topography (altitude, exposure, terrain), as much feedback as possible helps forecasters to get a more accurate picture of the avalanche situation. This is exactly where SnObs comes in! An avalanche warning platform for everyone!

Numerical weather forecasts and snow models are now very good, but there is still room for improvement. In the mountains, the complex topography is one of the biggest challenges for weather models. Every mountain peak and every valley influences the movement of the atmosphere and thus small-scale processes such as snow drifting.

The SLF avalanche warning service regularly explains various aspects of avalanche prevention in the "AvaLounge". Another exciting livestream will take place tomorrow (14 March). Topic: No risk, no fun - is there anything to it?

The "Schnee.Semmelnare" of the Austrian Society for Snow and Avalanches (ÖGSL) opens the new winter season with exciting, international lectures on the topic of snow and avalanches. The lectures take place monthly, are recorded online and are available for streaming on YouTube or on the ÖGSL website. Take a look!

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are the buzzwords of the moment in many areas and have been for the last few years. Corresponding techniques are also increasingly being used in snow and avalanche research. What exactly is AI, what are its concrete applications and what are the benefits?

In a new format called "AvaLounge", the SLF provides insights into the snow cover of the current winter. In a free online lecture, the avalanche forecasters discuss the topic of old snow in particular.

Arnold Studeregger is part of the avalanche warning service at ZAMG in Styria. We spoke to him about the development of the Styrian LWD, the biggest innovations and his favorite snow profile

In his recently completed dissertation, SLF avalanche forecaster Frank Techel investigated how well avalanche bulletins reflect the actual danger situation and whether they are consistent across different regions and areas of responsibility of individual warning services. In this interview, he explains more about his work and his unusual career path.

The Austrian Society for Snow and Avalanches (ÖGSL) is organizing a virtual lecture evening with top-class experts from Switzerland and Austria next Thursday (21.1.) at 7 pm. As usual with "schnÖGSLn", the talks will be entertaining and accessible. After the talks, there will be time for questions from the audience and discussion.