America sees deadliest week for avalanches in 100 years - is the climate crisis to blame?

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. When it comes to forecasting avalanches there are always surprises, says Dr Jürg Schweizer, head of research at the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos, Switzerland, the world leader in avalanche science. open image in gallery The scene following the avalanche outside of Park City, Utah this weekend which left four dead Dr Schweizer said, however, that "avalanches don't care about the climate; they care about the weather". While they are only likely to occur where the slope is steep enough and ground relatively smooth, glide avalanches are nearly impossible to forecast, says the Colorado Avalanche Centre. One survey respondent in Alaska, with more than 40 years experience, said: “All my rules for weather and avalanche forecasting have changed in the last 10-15 years; weather patterns now are completely different … persistent weak layers and associated instability have increased due to wilder swings in weather."